The Beauty Of The Late Byzantine Coins

Catalogue of the Late Byzantine Coins, vol. 1 (2011)


MANUEL I, COMNENUS
(1143 -- 1180)

4. 4. 5

AE Tetarteron Mint of Thessalonica Struck 1143 -- 1180
Weight 3.30 - 5.40 g Diameter 20 - 22 mm Avg diameter 21 mm
Die diameter 19 mm Die axis -- 180 ˚ Rarity 1



OBVERSE: columnar legend O/G/E on left, O/P/GI/(OC) on right. Rarely, O/P is not on right, but on the left field. Bust of St. George, beardless and nimbate, wearing chiton, body armour with pteryges, and cloak; holds in right hand short spear, and in left, rounded shield.

REVERSE: circular legend MANOVHL on left, DECP(OTHC) or var. on right. Bust of emperor, bearded, wearing stemma, divitision, collar-piece, and loros; holds in right hand labarum-headed scepter, and in left, globus cruciger,

References: Hendy, p.120, Pl. 17. 13, 14, "Heavy standard".
DOC IV, Part II, Pl. XVI, AE 18.
Grierson 1101; Sear 1975.

Pretty much every country that once was host to an ancient civilization has passed laws prohibiting or restricting the buying, selling, exporting and collecting of antiquities, which includes coins. Italy, Greece, Egypt, Turkey, Lebanon, Syria and Israel are notable for their strict anti-looting laws; some are more draconian than others. Most Eastern European states (such as Bulgaria) have similar laws, though until recently most have shown little interest in enforcing them.

Now back to the topic of these coins. I have to admit, I often shy away from late Byzantine coins and spend my money elsewhere, simply because I'm not familiar with the series and because of the typically poor condition of the coins themselves. Seeing line-drawings certainly helps one appreciate the artwork of the coins "as they should have been".

And just a question I have on your catalogue: will you be including the coins some of the Byzantine-style "fringe states", such as Bulgaria, Trebizond and Serbia? I've noticed reference material covering Trebizond coinage, in particular, to be hard to find.