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Research Coins: Electronic Auction

 
294, Lot: 867. Estimate $1500.
Sold for $1600. This amount does not include the buyer’s fee.

Philippicus (Bardanes). 711-713. AV Solidus (19mm, 4.14 g, 6h). Constantinople mint, 2nd officina. Crowned facing bust, wearing loros, holding globus cruciger and eagle-tipped scepter surmounted by cross / Cross potent on set three steps; B//CONOB. DOC 1b; MIB 1; SB 1447. Good VF, graffiti on reverse.


Philippicus Bardanes was the scion of a prominent Armenian family from Pergamum. Placed in command of the expedition to ravage Cherson, Justinian II's former place of exile, he instead followed in Justinian's footsteps and led a revolt that toppled the brutal emperor. Once established in Constantinople he neglected military affairs, allowing the Bulgars and Arabs to raid Byzantine territory, while engaging in religious disputes. Philippicus deposed the Patriarch of Constantinople, interfered in church councils, and showed iconoclastic tendencies. Frustrated officers in the Opsikion theme finally overthrew the ineffectual emperor after less than two years, blinding him and exiling him to a monastery.