Byzantine (584-602) solidus Sear-481

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Heritage sale 3035, lot 29353
Byzantium H3035-29353r.jpg

This specimen was lot 29353 in Heritage sale 3035 (Long Beach, September 2014), where it sold for $763.75. The catalog description[1] noted,

"Maurice Tiberius (AD 582-602). AV lightweight solidus of 23 siliquae (22 mm, 4.30 g, 6h axis). Constantinople, 1st officina, AD 584-602. ?M MAVRIC TIb P P AVI, pearl-diademed, helmeted, draped, and cuirassed bust of Maurice facing, holding globus cruciger in right hand, shield with horseman motif on left arm, star in right field / VICTORI-A AVCCC, Angel standing facing, holding long staff terminating in staurogram and globus cruciger, star in right field; A//CONOB. Sear 481. DOC 7a. MIB 11. Scarce variety. NGC (photo-certificate) MS 5/5 - 5/5. From The Andre Constantine Dimitriadis Collection. Ex Stack's (New York, 8 April 1989), lot 129.

This very odd lightweight solidus is apparently intended to be tariffed at 23 siliquae as opposed to a normal solidus of 24 siliquae. The different in weight is only about .15 of a gram and it is likely the coins would easily pass as the heavier denomination. The only indication of a different denomination is the presence of a star in the obverse field to the right of the imperial bust."

Source:

  • [1]Michaels, David, Cristiano Bierrenbach and Sam Spiegel, Heritage Signature Auction 3035: Ancient Coins, Featuring the Lexington Collection of Jonathan K. Kern and the Andre Constantine Dimitriadis Collection, Dallas: Heritage Auction Galleries, 2014.

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