Maurice, Gold, Solidus, Constantinople, 583-584
Obverse
Frontal bust of Maurice in cuirass wearing crown with cross and pendilia. Globus cruciger in right hand, angular shield with horseman device on left shoulder.
DNVRIC-TIEPPVC
Reverse
Frontal view of angel with long staff with staurogram () at the top in right hand and globus cruciger in left hand.
VICTORI-VCCS
Exergue
CONOB
Obverse
Frontal bust of Maurice in cuirass wearing crown with cross and pendilia. Globus cruciger in right hand, angular shield with horseman device on left shoulder.
DNVRIC-TIEPPVC
Reverse
Frontal view of angel with long staff with staurogram () at the top in right hand and globus cruciger in left hand.
VICTORI-VCCS
Exergue
CONOB
| Accession number | BZC.1966.32 |
|---|---|
| Ruler | Maurice |
| Date of Reign | 582–602 |
| Metal | Gold |
| Denomination | Solidus |
| Mint | Constantinople |
| Date | 583 – 584 |
| Diameter | 21.0 mm |
| Weight | 4.58 g |
| Relation of Dies | 6:00 |
| Shape | Flat |
Acquisition History
Purchased from Joel Malter (California dealer), 2 December 1966
Commentary
Variant of DOC 1:295, no. 4, with different officina letter and TIE instead of TIER. According to Grierson, the high weight is suspicious, but he finds nothing wrong with the coin, as does Hahn who cites it in MIBEC 131, no. 5. Morrisson is not so sure. The style and soapy fabric of the coin are reminiscent of the forgeries of the early gold issues of Tiberios II Constantine and Maurice that appeared on the market in the 1970s and were denounced by Michael Dennis O’Hara (“Some Forgeries of Byzantine Gold Coins from the ‘Beirut’ and Other ‘Schools,’’’ notably no. 8).
MIBEC 131, no. 5 (citing this coin as DOC [n.a.] along with specimens in Berlin and the Museo Nazionale, Rome).
M. D. O’Hara, “Forgeries of Byzantine Gold Coins from the ‘Beirut’ and Other ‘Schools,’” esp. 495–96.
M. Restle, Kunst und byzantinische Münzprägung von Justinian I. bis zum Bilderstreit, plate 11.