Michael VIII Palaiologos, Silver, Trikephalon (Aspron Trachy), Constantinople, 1271
Obverse
St. George standing with spear in right hand and shield. O|E|Φ|Δ|Γ|C to left and |Γ|C|Π (uncertain reading for last three lines) to right.
Reverse
Half-length figures of Michael VIII Palaiologos and Andronikos II below, with bust of winged archangel above placing his hands on their heads. The inscription to right in small letters is very faint. Above, |M to left and X to right ([Archangel] Michael); below, X|ΠΛ|[ ]|[ ]|O|Γ (Michael [?] Palaiologos) to left and I to right.
Obverse
St. George standing with spear in right hand and shield. O|E|Φ|Δ|Γ|C to left and |Γ|C|Π (uncertain reading for last three lines) to right.
Reverse
Half-length figures of Michael VIII Palaiologos and Andronikos II below, with bust of winged archangel above placing his hands on their heads. The inscription to right in small letters is very faint. Above, |M to left and X to right ([Archangel] Michael); below, X|ΠΛ|[ ]|[ ]|O|Γ (Michael [?] Palaiologos) to left and I to right.
| Accession number | BZC.2009.010 |
|---|---|
| Catalogue ID | as DOC 5.1:114, no. (36) |
| Ruler | Michael VIII Palaiologos |
| Date of Reign | 1272–1282 |
| Associated Authority | Andronikos II Palaiologos |
| Metal | Silver |
| Denomination | Trikephalon (Aspron Trachy) |
| Mint | Constantinople |
| Date | 1271 |
| Diameter | 23.0 mm |
| Weight | 1.41 g |
| Relation of Dies | 6:00 |
| Shape | Flat |
Acquisition History
From the Füeg Collection Stack’s NYC Sale, 12 January 2009, lot 3327, from the Protonatarios collection, "Despot" collection, LHS Zurich sale 97, 2006, lot 224, from Hess-Leu sale 45, 1970, lot 726
Commentary
This coin is a unique specimen, and is illustrated in DOC 5: plate 3.