Experts in Coins & Medals

Michael II Comnenus-Ducas, despot of Epiros, 1237-1271. Aspron Trachy (Silver, 31 mm, 3.02 g, 6 h), Arta. IC-XC Christ Pantocrator, bearded, nimbate and with his right hand raised in benediction, seated facing on throne; to left, above the throne arm, X over M; to right, above the throne am, [lis] over AK. Rev. [MΙXAHΛ] KΩ[NCTANTINOC] To left, Michael standing facing, crowned, wearing a divitision, a collar piece, adorned with eight jewels, and a loros, and holding a cross-tipped scepter with his right hand; to right, St. Constantine standing facing, crowned, wearing a divitision, a collar piece, adorned with nine jewels, and a loros, [and holding cross-tipped scepter with his left hand]; both holding between them a labarum over a triangular decoration on a long shaft with a globe at the bottom. Cf. Bendall 1 and DOC 1 (but in electrum and with a differing reverse). SB 2230. Cf. Nomos 19, 2019, 453 for another aspron trachy of Michael II, but with a differing reverse. Extremely rare. Some striking flatness, and obverse doublestruck, otherwise, extremely fine.

ARKADIA. Mantinea. Plautilla, Augusta, 202-205. (Bronze, 22 mm, 6.18 g, 6 h), circa 198-209. ΦΟΥΛ ΠΛΑΥΤΙΛΛΑ Draped bust of Plautilla to right. Rev. MANTI-ΝΕΩΝ Tyche standing to left, holding patera over altar with her left hand and cornucopia in her right. BCD Peloponnesos -, but cf. 1507 (this obverse die, but with a different reverse design) and 1509.1 (this reverse die, but for Septimius Severus). NCP pg. 95, 9. Very rare. Earthen deposits, otherwise, very fine.