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 Replies: 13 / Views: 2,114 |
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Moderator
 United States
16679 Posts |
It is a little late so I apologize. In my original thread, I asked the best way to get the gunk off and the answer overwhelmingly was olive oil..for months. That is just what I've done tonight. Pure Italian olive oil. This coin also had areas of a past cleaning only on the high points. Hopefully, it darkens :-) If anyone can translate the reverse, I would really aappreciate it. Bronze - 28mm   swcoin.ecrater.com
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Pillar of the Community
3772 Posts |
It's an anonymous Follis Class 2 from the period of Basil II and Constantine VIII. Have a look at the varieties listed on this page http://www.wildwinds.com/coins/byz/...ymous/t.htmlThe text on the reverse is: IhSUS XRISTUS bASILEU bASILE which is "Jesus Christ King of Kings". Btw, nice job. Edited by Medieval
12/28/2014 02:15 am
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Moderator
United States
23731 Posts |
This coin has very nice obverse details, usually you don't see as much due to wear. The coin cleaned up nicely, you can leave it as it is or soak it for a little longer which should bring out some more.
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Moderator
 United States
16679 Posts |
OK, thanks!
Are these found in the ground..is that what it is?
swcoin.ecrater.com
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Moderator
United States
23731 Posts |
I think this one might have come out a pot or storage container buried in the ground. If it was just dug up out of the dirt, I think it would probably have more environmental damage unless the soil was very dry or sandy.
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Pillar of the Community
United States
5155 Posts |
@Vermont- this is a pretty good example of the type. Most of the time the face of Jesus is obliterated. Yours has a good amount of facial detail remaining. Its a nice example. I love the legend "King of Kings" by this time there had been many, many, many, many King of Kings. I think it carries the tradition of the legend very well.
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Moderator
United States
16679 Posts |
Thank you!
swcoin.ecrater.com
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Moderator
United States
16679 Posts |
Also, what language is the writing?
swcoin.ecrater.com
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Pillar of the Community
United States
5155 Posts |
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Pillar of the Community
United States
5155 Posts |
Across time the font takes one some interesting forms.
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Pillar of the Community
United States
4971 Posts |
that one is pretty nice indeed, jesus even has some of a nose.
the reverse is greek.
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Moderator
United States
16679 Posts |
OK, forgive me.
Weren't the Byzantines the late Roman empire? Why Greek language?
swcoin.ecrater.com
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Moderator
United States
23731 Posts |
The Byzantines called themselves Romans and for the most part where in that Constantinople was founded by Constantine a Roman and the Eastern Roman empire was ruled from there. At that time they did speak Latin but they were also influenced by the Greek life style along with the fact the the surrounding regions spoke Greek. There is a period from 476 to 491 when Anastasius I became emperor in Constantiopole Where Rome was ruled by puppet emperors. Anastasius is considered the first true Byzantine emperor, Coins by him and up to Justin II still had Latin legends. By the time of Tiberius II Constantine we start to see more influence of the Greek style of both legends and the Greek life style. The Latin language stated to fade away and Greek language and dress was adopted especially by the court.
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Pillar of the Community
3772 Posts |
Actually the inscription on your coin is a corrupted mixture of Latin and Greek.
Basileus is the Greek word for king but it would be properly written as βασιλεύς / BAΣIΛΕΥΣ.
Greek was the common language in large areas of the eastern part of the Roman empire.
Do not forget the huge amount of Greek Imperial coinage.
The Byzantine emperors maintained for a long time Latin versions (in Latin script) of their names on their coins. But quite early the denominations used Greek numerals, eg the M (=40) for the Follis (yes, in same mints the Latin XXXX was used instead).
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Replies: 13 / Views: 2,114 |
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Posted 12/28/2014 07:38 am
