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John III Doukas Vatatzes, Gold, Nomisma Hyperpyron, Magnesia, 1232?

 
 

Obverse

Christ, bearded and nimbate, wearing tunic and kolobion, seated upon backless throne. Right hand raised in benediction, Gospels in left hand. To left and right, IC̅ XC̅.

KEB-OHΘEI

Reverse

Full-length figure of John III Doukas Vatatzes on left and of Virgin nimbate. Emperor wears stemma, divitision, collar-piece, and paneled loros of simplified type. Labarum on long shaft in right hand, akakia in left hand. Virgin wears tunic and maphorion. ΘΥ in upper center field. There are traces of the legend on left and right.

Obverse

Christ, bearded and nimbate, wearing tunic and kolobion, seated upon backless throne. Right hand raised in benediction, Gospels in left hand. To left and right, IC̅ XC̅.

KEB-OHΘEI

Reverse

Full-length figure of John III Doukas Vatatzes on left and of Virgin nimbate. Emperor wears stemma, divitision, collar-piece, and paneled loros of simplified type. Labarum on long shaft in right hand, akakia in left hand. Virgin wears tunic and maphorion. ΘΥ in upper center field. There are traces of the legend on left and right.

Accession number BZC.2002.7
Ruler John III Doukas Vatatzes
Date of Reign 1221–1254
Metal Gold
Denomination Nomisma Hyperpyron
Mint Magnesia
Date 1232?
Diameter 26.0 mm
Weight 4.34 g
Relation of Dies 6:00
Shape Cup
Graffiti

Reverse: X on left border.

Commentary

This coin is part of the Transitional Coinage (B). Cf. DOC 4.2:483, no. (3.1).

D. A. Squires, “Unpublished Transitional Hyperpyra of John III Vatatzes,” 1013 and fig. 8, details in figs. 10b, 11b, 12b, and 13b.

Acquisition History

Purchased from A. H. Baldwin’s Selection