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Long Beach Signature Sale 3067 6-7 Sep 2018
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Basil I the Macedonian (AD 867-886), with Constantine. AV solidus (19mm, 4.48 gm, 6h). NGC MS 4/5 - 4/5, edge filed. Constantinople, AD 870-871. + IhS XPS RЄX-RЄGNANtIЧM*, full-length figure of Christ, with cruciform nimbus, seated facing, wearing chiton, right hand raised in benediction, holding Gospels with left / bASILIOS ЄT CONStANt AЧΣΣ b, crowned facing busts of Basil I (on left), with short beard and loros, and Constantine (on right), beardless and wearing chlamys, holding patriarchal cross between them. Sear 1704. DOC 2c. Sharply struck from fresh dies on lustrous, satiny surfaces. Minor scattered deposits.
From the Collection of a Philhellene. Ex Baldwin's, Auction 22 (7 March 1996), lot 48.
A Macedonian peasant, Basil came to Constantinople as a young man seeking his fortune, and can hardly have done any better. Despite having no education or money, he parlayed an appointment as a groom in the Imperial stables into a friendship with the Emperor Michael III "The Drunkard," who appointed him co-emperor in May of AD 866. Basil next contrived the murder of the powerful Caesar Bardas, then, in September of 867, he did away with Michael himself. Once installed as uncontested ruler, he proved himself as gifted as he was cunning, crafty and ruthless. He continued the military expansion begun by his predecessors and dealt the Arabs and Slavs several heavy defeats while consolidating and strengthening the empire's new frontiers. He is shown here with his eldest and favorite son Constantine, who, predeceased him in AD 879.
HID02901242017
Estimate: 700-1000 USD
Basil I the Macedonian (AD 867-886), with Constantine. AV solidus (19mm, 4.48 gm, 6h). NGC MS 4/5 - 4/5, edge filed. Constantinople, AD 870-871. + IhS XPS RЄX-RЄGNANtIЧM*, full-length figure of Christ, with cruciform nimbus, seated facing, wearing chiton, right hand raised in benediction, holding Gospels with left / bASILIOS ЄT CONStANt AЧΣΣ b, crowned facing busts of Basil I (on left), with short beard and loros, and Constantine (on right), beardless and wearing chlamys, holding patriarchal cross between them. Sear 1704. DOC 2c. Sharply struck from fresh dies on lustrous, satiny surfaces. Minor scattered deposits.
From the Collection of a Philhellene. Ex Baldwin's, Auction 22 (7 March 1996), lot 48.
A Macedonian peasant, Basil came to Constantinople as a young man seeking his fortune, and can hardly have done any better. Despite having no education or money, he parlayed an appointment as a groom in the Imperial stables into a friendship with the Emperor Michael III "The Drunkard," who appointed him co-emperor in May of AD 866. Basil next contrived the murder of the powerful Caesar Bardas, then, in September of 867, he did away with Michael himself. Once installed as uncontested ruler, he proved himself as gifted as he was cunning, crafty and ruthless. He continued the military expansion begun by his predecessors and dealt the Arabs and Slavs several heavy defeats while consolidating and strengthening the empire's new frontiers. He is shown here with his eldest and favorite son Constantine, who, predeceased him in AD 879.
HID02901242017
Estimate: 700-1000 USD