Histamenon Nomisma: Romanus III Argyrus (1028 -1034)

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Author	Replies: 5 / Views: 986
austrokiwi Pillar of the Community 2087 Posts	Posted 12/19/2018 3:26 pm This was my first purchase of Byzantine gold. I wanted this particular coin because of the design. Specifically, Christ Enthroned with the Virgin crowning the emperor. The design is imitated almost 200 years later on Venetian/dalmatian Grosso. I am really focused on early modern coinage (and late medieval) this coin falls outside of my interest, but I wanted one to get the feel of "what-came-before" I noticed there are lots of scratches on the coin. To my inexperienced eye, it looks like at some stage someone has cleaned the dirt off the coin using some pointed instrument( like a needle). IS that typical ( the scratches)? Report this Post to the Staff

Kamnaskires Pillar of the Community United States 7066 Posts	Posted 12/19/2018 3:33 pm Lovely coin. Thanks for sharing. Cleaning scratches are, unfortunately, pretty common on ancient coins - and, I would assume, that extends to medieval coins as well. Report this Post to the Staff
echizento Moderator United States 23731 Posts	Posted 12/19/2018 3:56 pm Even with the scratches which could be from cleaning and from circulation, this is an excellent coin. Report this Post to the Staff
Spence Moderator United States 34419 Posts	Posted 12/19/2018 9:00 pm Quote: IS that typical (the scratches)? For whatever reason, I have noticed a disproportionate number of Byzantine gold coins with minor scratches or graffiti on them. At least with the current pics (which are very well done by the way), I'm having a hard time seeing more than a few to the right of Mary's nimbus. "If you climb a good tree, you get a push." -----Ghanaian proverb "The danger we all now face is distinguishing between what is authentic and what is performed." -----King Adz Report this Post to the Staff
austrokiwi Pillar of the Community 2087 Posts	Posted 12/20/2018 02:26 am Thanks for the feedback people. I am just not familiar with the typical condition of coins from this era. the photos posted here are reduced in size ( and therefore much lower resolution). The full resolution photos show a great many more scratches in the fields. Edit: when photographing the coin I discovered( and now very obvious to me) that the coin is very slightly concave.. not enough to call it Scyphate but certainly it is not flat. I know there is no clear understanding as to why Scyphate coins were produced, I wonder if these HIstamenons are providing a hint? Though I am not clear what it is hinting at. perhaps slightly concave coins resist bending better? Edited by austrokiwi 12/20/2018 06:08 am Report this Post to the Staff
Spence Moderator United States 34419 Posts	Posted 12/20/2018 7:17 pm Good questions @AK. In looking at my Sear, I see that your Stamenon Nomisma (BC&V #1819) has a "thin, spread fabric". The relative thinness of the flan plus the malleability of the gold alloy make me wonder if your coin isn't just slightly bent into a shallow cup-shape from use or burial over the course of just under 1000 years. Others may have more informed opinions... "If you climb a good tree, you get a push." -----Ghanaian proverb "The danger we all now face is distinguishing between what is authentic and what is performed." -----King Adz Report this Post to the Staff
	Replies: 5 / Views: 986

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