Stack's Bowers & Ponterio
August 2020 Auction 5-6 Aug 2020
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PHOCAS, 602-610. AV Solidus (4.37 gms), Thessalonica Mint, 5th Officina, 603-607. NGC MS★, Strike: 5/5 Surface: 5/5.
S-Unlisted; MIBE-Unlisted; Berk-109 (this coin). Obverse: O N FOCAS PЄRP AVC, crowned and cuirassed bust facing, holding globus cruciger; Reverse: VICTORIA AVGG, Angel standing facing, holding globus cruciger and long staff surmounted by staurogram; Є//CONOB. Very well centered and struck, and with a good deal of dazzling brilliance, this EXTREMELY RARE issue has been variously attributed to an uncertain mint in the Balkans to that of Thessalonica. This issue is distinguished by a heavier border than is usually seen along with refined hair on the head and beard of Phocas. The clearest difference, however, is the degree of detail in his eyes, where there is much more detail than what would be seen from Constantinople--a mint with which this could easily be confused at first glance. Compare to a similar example--which cited the present specimen--hammering for an astounding $13,000 in September 2011.
Ex: Andre Constantine Dimitriadis Collection.
S-Unlisted; MIBE-Unlisted; Berk-109 (this coin). Obverse: O N FOCAS PЄRP AVC, crowned and cuirassed bust facing, holding globus cruciger; Reverse: VICTORIA AVGG, Angel standing facing, holding globus cruciger and long staff surmounted by staurogram; Є//CONOB. Very well centered and struck, and with a good deal of dazzling brilliance, this EXTREMELY RARE issue has been variously attributed to an uncertain mint in the Balkans to that of Thessalonica. This issue is distinguished by a heavier border than is usually seen along with refined hair on the head and beard of Phocas. The clearest difference, however, is the degree of detail in his eyes, where there is much more detail than what would be seen from Constantinople--a mint with which this could easily be confused at first glance. Compare to a similar example--which cited the present specimen--hammering for an astounding $13,000 in September 2011.
Ex: Andre Constantine Dimitriadis Collection.
Ex: "An Important Private Collection of Byzantine Coins" (Sotheby's, 11/1998) Lot # 182.
Estimate: $4000.00- $6000.00