John V Palaiologos, Gold, Nomisma Hyperpyron, Constantinople, 1347-1353
Obverse
Virgin orans within city walls connecting four groups of towers.
Symbol
B to left of Virgin, C in ligature to right. Six-pointed star above and between towers to left and right
Reverse
Christ standing at center blessing the kneeling figures of John V, left, and John VI Kantakouzenos, right. [IC̅] XC̅ in left and right fields above emperors’ heads. Blundered inscription of Iôannes in left field. Graffito on Christ’s robe.
IΛIIIII
Obverse
Virgin orans within city walls connecting four groups of towers.
Symbol
B to left of Virgin, C in ligature to right. Six-pointed star above and between towers to left and right
Reverse
Christ standing at center blessing the kneeling figures of John V, left, and John VI Kantakouzenos, right. [IC̅] XC̅ in left and right fields above emperors’ heads. Blundered inscription of Iôannes in left field. Graffito on Christ’s robe.
IΛIIIII
| Accession number | BZC.2006.46 |
|---|---|
| Ruler | John V Palaiologos |
| Date of Reign | 1347–1354 |
| Associated Authority | John VI Kantakouzenos |
| Metal | Gold |
| Denomination | Nomisma Hyperpyron |
| Mint | Constantinople |
| Date | 1347 – 1353 |
| Diameter | 21.0 mm |
| Weight | 3.65 g |
| Relation of Dies | 6:00 |
| Shape | Cup |
| Metal Composition | 45.8% Au; 27.8% Ag; 26% Cu; 1687 ppm Pb; 101 ppm Pt (analyzed in IRAMAT-CNRS, Orléans [Centre E. Babelon] using LA-ICP-MS) |
Acquisition History
From A.H. Baldwin's Stock, 28 February 2006
Commentary
This coin has an unpublished siglon. Variant of DOC 5.1:184, table 24, siglon no. 1b. S. Bendall (“A Note on the Hyperpyra of John V and VI (1347–1354),” 297, siglon C) shows at lower right, while this one has a ligature of and . This coin may have come from the hoard first mentioned by Bendall in “A Hyperpyron of Andronicus III and John V (A.D. 1341)?”