Silk Road Bracteate

234, Lot: 148. Estimate $250. Sold for $360. This amount does not include the buyer’s fee.

LOCAL ISSUES, Silk Road Region. 5th-8th centuries AD. AV Bracteate (18mm, 0.35 g). Imitating an AV Solidus of Justinian I. Pearl-diademed, helmeted, and cuirassed bust facing, holding globus cruciger, spear over shoulder, and shield with traces of the horseman motif found on the prototype; crude legend around / Incuse of obverse. See V. Raspopova, “Gold Coins and bracteates from Pendjikent,” Coins, Art, and Chronology, pp. 453-60, for discussion of Silk Road bracteates, especially figs. 1-8 for other specimens copying Late Roman/Byzantine issues. VF, flan crimped. A piece closely following its prototype - of interest to the Central Asian or Byzantine collector.