John II Comnenus. 1118-1143. AV Hyperpyron (30.5mm, 4.35 g, 6h). Constantinople mint. Struck 1122-circa 1137. Good VF.

Electronic Auction 593
Lot: 768. Estimated: $ 400

Byzantine, Gold

Sold For $ 7 000. This amount does not include the buyer’s fee.

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John II Comnenus. 1118-1143. AV Hyperpyron (30.5mm, 4.35 g, 6h). Constantinople mint. Struck 1122-circa 1137. Christ Pantokrator enthroned facing, raising hand in benediction and holding Gospels / Crowned facing figures of John, wearing loros, holding labarum and akakia, being crowned by the Theotokos, nimbate, to right. DOC 2; SB 1939. Toned, graffiti. Good VF. The Christ obverse notably incorrectly stuck on the concave side with John and the Theotokos conversely on the convex side.

This would have to rate as one of the most incredible engraving errors we have seen on a Byzantine cupped die coin. The Celator has engraved both the obverse and reverse dies for this coin on the wrong side of each die. Given the nature of striking for these coins this actually involves creating three wrong dies (the inward cupped side employs two dies to complete the image). It is unknown how many coins would have been struck before this error was identified at the mint. At present, we can say that this coin is the unique survivor of what must have been a very bad day for one particular engraver!

From the Gasvoda Collection. Ex Sarmas Collection (Roma XXI, 24 March 2021), lot 1041.


Closing Date and Time: 13 August 2025 at 14:15:40 ET.

All winning bids are subject to a 20% buyer’s fee.