The Martyrdom of St. Demetrius

CNG 99, Lot: 890. Estimate $200. Sold for $425. This amount does not include the buyer’s fee.

John V Palaeologus. 1341-1391. Æ Assarion (18mm, 1.93 g, 7h). Thessalonica mint. Struck circa 1365-1376. Emperor standing facing, holding cruciform scepter in right hand, cross with which he points to an elaborate structure (church or shrine?) in left; five stars in left field / The martyrdom of St. Demetrius: three soldiers to right, spearing St. Demetrius seated left. DOC 1251-4; PCPC 320; LPC p. 262, 5 (uncertain emperor); SB 2593 (uncertain emperor). Fine, green patina. Very rare and interesting type.

From the Prue Morgan Fitts Collection.

This rare coin shows the the martyrdom of St. Demetius in the dungeons of Thessalonica, where he was imprisoned during the reign of Galerius. Particularly sharp examples clearly show the spears which are being thrust into the saint (see especially DOC 1251 and 1253). The obscurity of this detail on most specimens has led many to interpret the scene as depicting the Magi before the Virgin. Indeed, this interpretation was canonical up until the mid 20th century, “...to the point of being cited by scholars as the sole occasion on which a New Testament scene was represented on a Byzantine coin” (DOC p. 205).