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Theodosius III of Adramytium. 715-717. Æ Decanummium (18mm, 0.52 g, 6h). Constantinople mint(?). Dated RY 1 (715). Crowned facing bust, wearing loros, holding patriarchal globus crucgier / Large I; A/[...] - I (date) across field; [C]ON. Cf. DOC 6 (for similar half follis); cf. MIB 14 (same); cf. SB 1493 (same). Rough brown surfaces, ragged flan, a pair of tiny pinholes. Fine. Extremely rare and unpublished.
An unpublished denomination for the rare short reign of Theodosius III. During the reign of the Heraclian dynasty under Constans II and Constantine IV, Byzantine bronze coinage underwent some substantial changes. While Constantine IV did make efforts to preserve the large flan and hefty weight folles of earlier reigns, the turn towards smaller and thinner flans accelerated during his time even at the Constantinople mint. As such, a variety of flan shapes and sizes can be found for his and subsequent reigns. Later, during the tumultuous period between the first and second reign of Justinian II, novel techniques in flan preparation were adopted. Sear notes on p. 265 that the half folles of Tiberius III were “sometimes struck on a triangular flan, probably obtained by quartering the large folles of Constantine IV” (Sear, 265).
Here, on this new decanummium with the distinct iconography of Theodosius III, we find a triangular and thin flan with features similar to some of the half folles from Constantinople of his reign. Given this evidence, it appears that this new coin belongs alongside his known folles and half folles. In particular, the coin has strong similarities to his half folles that feature regnal years across the fields on the reverse. Finally, amidst the corrosion on the reverse, it is the perspective of this cataloger that in the exergue, an ON for CON is present. Ultimately, this coin represents a fascinating new find and an entirely new denomination for the rare coinage of Theodosisus III.
The final winners of all CNG Feature Auction 124 lots will be determined during the live online sale that will be held on 19-20 September 2023. This lot is in Session Three, which will begin 20 September at 9 AM ET.
Winning bids are subject to a 22.5% buyer's fee for bids placed on this website and 25% for all others.
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