Roma Numismatics Ltd
Auction XVII 28 Mar 2019
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Irene AV Solidus. Syracuse, AD 797-802. IREN AΓOVST, bust facing, wearing chlamys and crown with pendilia and cross on semicircle between two pinnacles, holding akakia with right hand; two curved lines of throne behind shoulders / AΓOVST, bust facing, wearing loros and crown as obverse; in right hand, cross potent. DOC 3; Spahr 340; Anastasi 452; Sear 1601. 3.75g, 19mm, 6h.
Mint State. Very Rare.
From a private Central European collection.
Struck for the sole reign of Irene, after her supporters had captured, imprisoned and blinded her son and once co-regent Constantine VI in 792, this interesting issue depicts the Empress on both the obverse and reverse. A new style and a precedent that was occasionally followed by later rulers, Irene decided against reviving the cross-on-steps type, or the reverse figures representing the deceased members of the ruling family that had characterised the gold coinage of the Isaurian Dynasty, thus leaving us with coins that often have almost identical obverse and reverse designs. Her decision to simply strike herself on both sides is an excellent example of her desire to have ultimate power, strength and independence, making this an interesting coin which wonderfully relates the character of an incredibly spirited woman.
Two distinct types of solidi for Irene have been identified as being struck at Syracuse. Both have the empress wearing loros and holding cross potent on one side; on the other there is always a facing bust, but while on the one type she wears a loros and holds a globus cruciger, on the second she wears a chlamys, holds an akakia and is enthroned, as we see on this example. The seated figure, coupled with the inclusion of the name of the empress in the legend, make this likely to be the obverse of this type.
Mint State. Very Rare.
From a private Central European collection.
Struck for the sole reign of Irene, after her supporters had captured, imprisoned and blinded her son and once co-regent Constantine VI in 792, this interesting issue depicts the Empress on both the obverse and reverse. A new style and a precedent that was occasionally followed by later rulers, Irene decided against reviving the cross-on-steps type, or the reverse figures representing the deceased members of the ruling family that had characterised the gold coinage of the Isaurian Dynasty, thus leaving us with coins that often have almost identical obverse and reverse designs. Her decision to simply strike herself on both sides is an excellent example of her desire to have ultimate power, strength and independence, making this an interesting coin which wonderfully relates the character of an incredibly spirited woman.
Two distinct types of solidi for Irene have been identified as being struck at Syracuse. Both have the empress wearing loros and holding cross potent on one side; on the other there is always a facing bust, but while on the one type she wears a loros and holds a globus cruciger, on the second she wears a chlamys, holds an akakia and is enthroned, as we see on this example. The seated figure, coupled with the inclusion of the name of the empress in the legend, make this likely to be the obverse of this type.