Sale: Nomos 2, Lot: 226. Estimate CHF10000.  Closing Date: Monday, 17 May 2010.  Sold For CHF11500. This amount does not include the buyer’s fee.

Constantine IV Pogonatus. 668-685. Solidus (Gold, 4.35 g 6), Naples (ascribed by Ricotti Prina to Pentapolis), circa 681-685. P OCNS TA US P P A Helmeted, diademed and cuirassed bust of Constantine IV facing, turned slightly to right, holding spear in his right hand and with shield over his left shoulder. Rev. VICTORA AVGV Δ:T / CONOB Cross potent on base and three steps. DOC -. MIB III, cf. pl. 34, X2. Ricotti Prina 31 (same obverse die). SB 1230A. Very rare. Attractively toned. Extremely fine.

From the Christov Family Collection, Goldberg 25 May 2009, 2173 and from the collection of M. Heckman, Triton VIII, 12 January 2005, 1390.

The coinage of Byzantine Italy is a very complicated one. It was issued by the official mints in Rome, Ravenna and Syracuse, but also in subsidiary ones in Naples and, probably, elsewhere (Ricotti Prina ascribed issues to a variety of mints but his attributions are no long taken very seriously). There must, however, have been traveling mints as well, accompanying the Byzantine military forces.