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ANA Signature Sale 3094 19-20 Aug 2021
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Constantine VII Porphyrogenitus (AD 913-959). AV medallion of 4-solidi modified from bulla (26mm, 17.73 gm, 12h). NGC VF★ 5/5 - 2/5, Fine Style, pierced. Constantinople. + ЄMMANOVHA +, bust of Christ facing, wearing nimbus cruciger with three pellets on each arm, pallium and colobium, raising right hand in benediction, Gospels cradled in left arm; IC-XC (pelleted) across fields, dotted border / +KwNCT-ANT' AVTOKPAT', bust of Constantine VII facing, wearing crown with pendilia and square-pattern loros with jeweled collar, globus surmounted by patriarchal cross in right hand; dotted border. Sear -. An impressive, large issue of Byzantine gold.
Byzantine bullae were used to seal official acts, and are more commonly found in lead. For the Byzantine Emperors' most important acts (chrysoboulla), gold bullae were employed. The weight of these magnificent seals related to the status of their intended recipients. Most dignitaries within the empire, along with a few outside of it, such as the Bishop of Rome, received gold seals set to the weight of one solidus (approximately 4.54 gm). 2-solidi weight seals would be sent to the Archon of Russia, kings of Georgia, Emirs of North Africa, and other sovereigns of similar rank. The Patriarchs of Alexandria, Antioch, and Jerusalem, would have received bullae of 3-solidi; whereas the highest weight, those of 4-solidi, such as the present example, were reserved for the most important heads of state - such as the Caliph of Baghdad and the Sultan of Egypt.
Gold bullae in general are extremely rare, with those the weight of multiple solidi being even more so. Only a small fraction of the known specimens remain in private hands, as the majority now reside in public collections. The only other gold bulla of Constantine VII in sales archives is a one solidus piece - Numismatica Ars Classica, Auction 111 (24 September 2018), lot 315 - with a mere two examples of 2-solidi bullae sold in the past 20 years. From our research, no 3- or 4-solidi bullae have been offered for sale, thus the present example offering a truly incredible opportunity for the advanced collector who is looking for a highly important centerpiece.
https://coins.ha.com/itm/ancients/byzantine/ancients-constantine-vii-porphyrogenitus-ad-913-959-av-medallion-of-4-solidi-modified-from-bulla-26mm-1773-gm-/a/3094-33120.s?type=CoinArchives3094
HID02906262019
© 2020 Heritage Auctions | All Rights Reserved
Estimate: 50000-60000 USD
Constantine VII Porphyrogenitus (AD 913-959). AV medallion of 4-solidi modified from bulla (26mm, 17.73 gm, 12h). NGC VF★ 5/5 - 2/5, Fine Style, pierced. Constantinople. + ЄMMANOVHA +, bust of Christ facing, wearing nimbus cruciger with three pellets on each arm, pallium and colobium, raising right hand in benediction, Gospels cradled in left arm; IC-XC (pelleted) across fields, dotted border / +KwNCT-ANT' AVTOKPAT', bust of Constantine VII facing, wearing crown with pendilia and square-pattern loros with jeweled collar, globus surmounted by patriarchal cross in right hand; dotted border. Sear -. An impressive, large issue of Byzantine gold.
Byzantine bullae were used to seal official acts, and are more commonly found in lead. For the Byzantine Emperors' most important acts (chrysoboulla), gold bullae were employed. The weight of these magnificent seals related to the status of their intended recipients. Most dignitaries within the empire, along with a few outside of it, such as the Bishop of Rome, received gold seals set to the weight of one solidus (approximately 4.54 gm). 2-solidi weight seals would be sent to the Archon of Russia, kings of Georgia, Emirs of North Africa, and other sovereigns of similar rank. The Patriarchs of Alexandria, Antioch, and Jerusalem, would have received bullae of 3-solidi; whereas the highest weight, those of 4-solidi, such as the present example, were reserved for the most important heads of state - such as the Caliph of Baghdad and the Sultan of Egypt.
Gold bullae in general are extremely rare, with those the weight of multiple solidi being even more so. Only a small fraction of the known specimens remain in private hands, as the majority now reside in public collections. The only other gold bulla of Constantine VII in sales archives is a one solidus piece - Numismatica Ars Classica, Auction 111 (24 September 2018), lot 315 - with a mere two examples of 2-solidi bullae sold in the past 20 years. From our research, no 3- or 4-solidi bullae have been offered for sale, thus the present example offering a truly incredible opportunity for the advanced collector who is looking for a highly important centerpiece.
https://coins.ha.com/itm/ancients/byzantine/ancients-constantine-vii-porphyrogenitus-ad-913-959-av-medallion-of-4-solidi-modified-from-bulla-26mm-1773-gm-/a/3094-33120.s?type=CoinArchives3094
HID02906262019
© 2020 Heritage Auctions | All Rights Reserved
Estimate: 50000-60000 USD