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 Replies: 11 / Views: 1,618 |
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Pillar of the Community
United States
5155 Posts |
I received this coin in the mail from a trade concluded with Ski. I am super thrilled. The coin is absolutely beautiful.It has a real nice "flame" patina. The flames seem to accent the Virgin Mary hold the head of infant Jesus on the obverse. The reverse has a slight die shift and some flatness on Jesus hold gospels (right figure), but the coin is "better" than 90% out there. The coin is a usual scyphate billon trachy of the 12th century Byzantine (Eastern Roman) Empire, although the coin and ruler are both rather scarce. There was hoard of some 2000 pieces found a while back. So it maybe a "common" coin for time being but that will surely change as the supply dries up. Right? The irregular flan and the great patina add to the high visual appeal of the coin in hand and I am very pleased. Byzantine Empire Andronicus I Comnenus (b.1118-d.1185 AD) Billon Aspron Trachy (s.1183-1185 AD) 32 mm x 29 mm x 3.48 g Constantinople Mint obv. MTP-QV across fields, Mary standing facing on dais, nimbate, holding before her the nimbate head of the infant Christ. rev.ANDPONIKOC DECPOTHC, IC XC across fields, Andronicus, crowned, with forked beard, standing on the left, wearing loros (no sagion/short cloak), holding labarum and cross on globe, being crowned by Christ, holding book of gospels in left hand. ref:Sear Byzantine #1985  Edited by Ancientnoob
06/21/2013 10:20 am
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Pillar of the Community
United States
4971 Posts |
very nice, that color is super cool...and not your usual ruler, I don't remember seeing one from him. what did ski get? post it up!
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Moderator
 United States
23731 Posts |
I love the way you describe the coin, and I'm glad that you like it. I need to take some time a start taking pictures again. I got a very beautiful Saurashta & Gujgrar AR Drachm in the trade. My first of this type of coin.
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Bedrock of the Community
United States
36839 Posts |
Interesting piece, nice pick up!
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Pillar of the Community
 United States
5155 Posts |
I used the software provided by TIF in the thread," new photos of the same old coins" in order to crop the Trachy and place it on a black background.
I believe the coin is really photogenic, although difficult to capture. The irregular scyphate shape and unusual smooth polychromatic patina made accurate photography a challenge.
Needless to say these coins are seriously impressive in hand, and rather large to boot.
I really love the detail of strike on the obverse, that is a magnificent Mary holding infant Jesus. Having an infant of my own, this coin works on multiple levels. Love it!
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Pillar of the Community
United States
2480 Posts |
 I find it very hard to take good pictures of the cup-shaped coins or other thick objects when shooting macro. Guess I should read about aperture settings and such. A broader depth of focus is needed or parts will be blurry. |
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Moderator
United States
23731 Posts |
What software did you use? And where can I get it. My picture taking skill are terrible at best, I need all the help I can get.
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Pillar of the Community
United States
2480 Posts |
Online free Photoshop Elements equivalent: http://www.pixlr.com use the Advanced Editor, interface and functions are similar to PSE. |
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Moderator
United States
23731 Posts |
Thanks, I need to take more pictures for the GTE thread so I'll give this a try.
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Pillar of the Community
United States
582 Posts |
Thanks for the site info TIF, very cool coin Nate.
Edited by dwayne8625
06/21/2013 12:51 pm
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Pillar of the Community
United States
5155 Posts |
I was playing with this coin today...and wanted to rez the thread. I know there has been some recent medieval interest.
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Moderator
United States
23731 Posts |
I've always liked this coin. The picture really brings out it's beauty.
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Replies: 11 / Views: 1,618 |
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Posted 06/20/2013 11:05 pm
