CNG 99, Lot: 886. Estimate $300. Sold for $1300. This amount does not include the buyer’s fee.

John V Palaeologus, with John VI. 1341-1391. AR Basilikon (19mm, 0.98 g, 6h). Constantinople mint. Struck 1347-1353. Christ Pantokrator standing facing within mandorla composed of pellets; line extending downward from each side of nimbus / John VI and John V standing facing, each holding labarum and akakia between them. Bendall, “Another new silver basilikon of John V and VI, 1347-1352,” NumCirc CVI/3 (April 1998), 2; cf. DOC p. 184, 2; cf. PCPC (287); cf. LPC p. 140, 3; SB 2528. Good VF, areas of weak strike. Very rare.

Most examples of this type have John VI on the left (see CNG 63, lot 1740 for a particularly clear example), but on the current coin the “KNTK” clearly names the right hand figure as John VI.