Basil I the Macedonian, with Constantine. 867-886. Debased AV Semissis (12.5mm, 1.29 g, 6h). Syracuse mint. Struck 868-878. Near VF.

Electronic Auction 606
Lot: 971. Estimated: $ 150

Byzantine, Gold

Sold For $ 425. This amount does not include the buyer’s fee.

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Basil I the Macedonian, with Constantine. 867-886. Debased AV Semissis (12.5mm, 1.29 g, 6h). Syracuse mint. Struck 868-878. Crowned facing bust of Basil, wearing loros, holding globus cruciger / Crowned facing bust of Constantine, wearing chlamys, holding globus cruciger. DOC 14a; Anastasi 579; SB 1714. Find patina, cleaning scratches, attempted piercing. Near VF.

From the James A. Lock Collection.

From one of the final emissions of the Syracuse mint under the Byzantines. The Arab conquest of Sicily had began many years prior but the mint at Syracuse dutifully continued producing coinage under Basil I with whatever meager metal reserves were at their disposal. These final emissions, struck even while Syracuse itself was under siege, are often either heavily debased electrum or even just gilt copper. In the end, the Syracusan Byzantine coinage terminated under Basil I when Syracuse fell to Aghlabid forces in 878.

Closing Date and Time: 18 March 2026 at 15:23:20 ET.

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