Watch List notes:

ROMAN AND BYZANTINE COINS

Artavasdus. 742-743. (Gold, 21mm, 4.41 g 6), Constantinople. dARTAUASDOS MULT Bust of Artavasdus facing, with slight beard, wearing chlamys and a crown with cross on circlet, and holding patriarchal cross in his right hand. Rev. dNIChFORUS MULTU A Bust of Nicephorus facing, beardless, wearing chlamys and a crown with cross on circlet, and holding patriarchal cross in his right hand. DOC 2a. SB 1542. Extremely rare. A beautifully struck and splendid example. Good extremely fine.

From an American collection, ex Nomos 3, 10 May 2011, 252 and from the SF Collection.

Artavasdus was the son-in-law and colleague of Leo III and had provided considerable help when Leo revolted and became emperor in 717. After Leo's death in 741, and the accession to the throne of his young son Constantine V, Artavasdus decided to take the throne for himself and revolted in 742; he was, however, defeated in a number of battles, captured and, with his two sons, imprisoned and blinded. After his defeat all his coinage would have been recalled and melted down; thus the great rarity of them today.