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Andronikos II Palaiologos, Gold, Nomisma Hyperpyron, Constantinople, 1325-1328

 
 

Obverse

Virgin orans within walls connecting four groups of towers.

Symbol

Γ with pellet above and below to left of Virgin, M with pellet above and below to right.

Reverse

Christ standing at center blessing the kneeling figures of Andronikos II, left, with long beard, and Andronikos III, right, with short beard. [IC̅] XC̅ in left and right fields above emperors’ heads. Circular legend.

ΛNΔ-ΛNΔIINII

Obverse

Virgin orans within walls connecting four groups of towers.

Symbol

Γ with pellet above and below to left of Virgin, M with pellet above and below to right.

Reverse

Christ standing at center blessing the kneeling figures of Andronikos II, left, with long beard, and Andronikos III, right, with short beard. [IC̅] XC̅ in left and right fields above emperors’ heads. Circular legend.

ΛNΔ-ΛNΔIINII

Accession number BZC.2006.45
Ruler Andronikos II Palaiologos
Date of Reign 1325–1328
Associated Authority Andronikos III Palaiologos
Metal Gold
Denomination Nomisma Hyperpyron
Mint Constantinople
Date 13251328
Diameter 25.0 mm
Weight 4.11 g
Relation of Dies 6:00
Shape Cup
Condition 50.1% Au; 30.6% Ag; 18.9% Cu; 1.458 pb; 60 ppm Pt (analyzed in IRAMAT-CNRS Orléans using LA-ICP-MS)

Commentary

This coin is of an unpublished siglon. The sigla with ΓΜ and variants were unknown before their appearance in the “2005 parcel” (S. Bendall, “A Note on the Palaeologan Hyperpyra, AD 1320–1325,” 6–7, siglon E).

Acquisition History

From A. H. Baldwin’s stock, 28 February 2006. From the “2005 parcel” which had been acquired in Munich by a London dealer in May 2004 and appeared at a London coin show somewhat later.