Andronicus IV Palaeologus. Usurper, 1376-1379. AR Basilikon (14mm, 0.61 g, 2h). Constantinople mint.

Triton XXIII – Session Three – Roman Imperial Coinage Part II through World Coinage Part I
Lot: 944. Estimated: $ 1 000

Byzantine, Silver

Sold For $ 3 250. This amount does not include the buyer’s fee.

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Andronicus IV Palaeologus. Usurper, 1376-1379. AR Basilikon (14mm, 0.61 g, 2h). Constantinople mint. Christ Pantokrator enthroned facing; [IC XC across upper field] / Andronicus standing facing, holding patriarchal cross-tipped scepter; traces of legend around. DOC –; LBC 890; BMC 1-2; LPC 2; PCPC 325; SB 2545. Toned, trace of earthen deposits . Near VF. Extremely rare.

The tension between John V Palaeologus and his eldest son and heir, Andronicus IV, led the latter to openly rebel. In 1373, Andronicus allied himself with the Ottoman prince Savci Bey, who was leading a revolt against his own father, emperor Murad I. A battle ensued between the joint forces of Andronicus and Savci Bey and those of John and Murad, with the rightful emperors emerging victorious. Savci Bey was subsequently executed while Andronicus was shown greater mercy; he was imprisoned and sentenced to be blinded, but apparently lost vision in only one eye.

With Genoese support, Andronicus escaped from prison in the summer of 1376 and formed an alliance with his old enemy Murad I. Andronicus soon took Constantinople and was crowned emperor, but John V was able to reclaim the throne in 1379 (with the assistance, once again, of Murad). Remarkably, John reinstated Andronicus as heir and co-regent in 1381, but his traitorous son rebelled again in 1385 and died shortly thereafter.

The final winners of all Triton XXIII lots will be determined at the live public sale that will be held on 14-15 January 2020. Triton XXIII – Session Three – Roman Imperial Coinage Part II through World Coinage Part II will be held Wednesday morning, 15 January 2020 beginning at 9:00 AM ET.

Winning bids are subject to a 20% buyer's fee for bids placed on this website and in person at the public auction, 22.50% for all others.