u/Orthobrah52102

I know it's not much but coming back to this game and getting such good prizes out of regular every day battles is so different compared to when I fully stopped back in like 2021 or 22. I've played on and off for years but I've never had such an influx of good stuff come my way

If you know anything about the coinage of Emperor Constans II(R.641-668), you'll know that for the most part, his bronze/copper coinage was far and away some of the crudest stuff ever produced in the mint of Constantinople. So for a coin to out-do that crudeness really does take the cake.

The Islamic world at this time was going through it's growing pains, the First Fitna(Civil War) having recently begun in 654 and lasting until 661 with the overthrow of the Rashidun Caliphate and the ascendance of the Umayyads to the Caliphate, and as a result of this, time could not exactly be spared to produce exceptionally high quality coinage.

From what I can gather from only a few similar listings online, this type, beginning to be struck in 658, was clearly imitative of Constans II's already rather poor quality Constantinople Follises, with the obverse featuring a simple Byzantine style front facing full-length figure, crowned, holding Globus Cruciger in left hand and Cross-tipped scepter in right hand, and with vague traces of gibberish lettering to the right side. The reverse features a central m with a Cross ornamented centrally above. To the left are traces of "ANO", and to the right, "nЄ s O", and in exergue "ИA". Certifiably absolutely nonsense chicken scratch, pseudo-Greek with no actual meaning, but that's what makes pre-Arabized Arab-Byzantine coinage so interesting; of course the Arabs who only recently came into contact with the Byzantines would have no idea what anything on their coinage meant, they just kept the general idea for monetary legitimacy in trade.

One of the more visually striking pieces in my collection, the obverse features an iconographic bust of Saint Stephen the Protomartyr, carrying in his left hand a platter of the stones used to carry out his Martyrdom, and in his right hand a palm frond, and in front of him is the shielded arms of Passau; a heraldic wolf, and surrounding are the legends; "SVB ● TVO PRESIDIO"(SVB TVVM PRÆSIDIVM)(Under Thy Protection), a common intercessory prayer toward the Virgin Mary which dates to between 200-250 AD and still used today liturgically by the Roman Catholic, Eastern Orthodox, and Oriental Orthodox Churches.

The reverse features the fourfold shielded arms of Passau-Bavaria, directly above the date "15ZZ", and surrounding the legends; "☩ERNEST9•ADMI• E•PA•DVX•BA"(ERNESTVS ADMINISTRATOR PASSAVIÆ DVX BAVARIÆ)(Ernest, Administrator of Passau, Duke of Bavaria).

One of the best Follises in my collection: Almost perfectly circular flan, incredibly well centered, amazing detail, and exceptionally high quality and detailed portrait.

Obv: Standing facing bust of Emperor Theophilos, dressed in a loros and adorned by a plumed crown, carrying Globus Cruciger in left hand and Labarum in right hand, legends around; "ΘEOFIL bASIL"(THEOPHILOS BASILEVS)(Emperor Theophilos).

Rev: Four line inscription legend that reads; "ΘEOFILE AVʕOVStE SV nICAS"(Emperor Theophilos, May you Conquer).

Emperor Theophilos (r. 829–842) was a Byzantine emperor of the Amorian dynasty who ruled during the final phase of the Byzantine Iconoclast controversy. He was a strong supporter of iconoclasm and persecuted those who opposed the imperial policy against the veneration of religious images. Theophilos also worked to strengthen the administration and legal system of the empire and was known for personally hearing complaints and dispensing justice. His reign was dominated militarily by wars with the Abbasid Caliphate, during which Byzantium suffered several major defeats, including the sack of Amorion in 838, although Theophilos also achieved some successes. He died in 842 and was succeeded by his young son Michael III, with his wife (Saint) Theodora serving as regent; she restored the veneration of icons in 843, permanently ending Byzantine Iconoclasm and bringing to a close a century long dark chapter of Byzantine Orthodox persecution.

Genuinely the coolest thing to own a coin, especially a masterpiece like this, of the reign of one the most powerful rulers in world history, reigning over an Empire that spanned so far that it was the first that the phrase "The Empire on Which the Sun Never Sets" was applied to.

- The obverse features a youthful portrait(as Karl was only 33 when this was struck) of Emperor Karl, facing right, wearing regal armor and adorned beautifully with the Imperial Crown of the Holy Roman Empire. In his right hand he carries an ornate scepter topped by floral detailing, and in his left hand he holds the Imperial Orb, a Globus Cruciger. Surrounding his portrait is the legend; "°KAROLVS : ROMANO : IM°"(KARLOVS ROMANORVM IMPERATOR)(Charles, Emperor of the Romans). The jeweled crown separates the legend.

- The reverse depicts the dual shielded arms of the House of Eppstein-Königstein, the shield on the left representing the arms of Königstein, having adopted the Bohemian Lion, and the shield on the right representing the combined arms of Eppstein-Münzenberg. Directly bove the dual shields is "✿1533✿", and directly beneath is "✿N✿", and surrounding, is the legend; "✠MONETA : NOVA : NORDLING"(New Coin of Nordlingen).

This gorgeous piece is an incredible portal to the past, just 7 years shy of being 500 years old. Amazing.

I can make out an obvious "NIKO" at the top but beyond that I'm stumped. Very cool iconography of Virgin and Child on other side

Here's the second part to my first post going through just a small part of the many hundreds of coins owned by the MFA! Enjoy!

1.Augustalis, Emperor Frederick II, Sicily, M.AD1231-1250

2.Athenian Tetradrachm, M.136-135BC

3.Solidus, Empress Irene of Athens, Constantinople, M.AD797-802

4.Tetradrachm, King Tigranes II of Armenia, Antioch, M.95-56BC

5.Medallion of Two Solidi, Emperor Constantius II, Antioch, M.AD337-342

6.Sicilian Didrachm, M.492-484BC

7.Histamenon, Emperor Constantine IX Monomachos, Constantinople, M.AD1042-1055

8.Drachm, King Phraates III of Parthia, Mithradatkart, M.70-57BC

9.Aureus, Emperor Licinius(front-facing), Nicomedia, M.AD321-322

10.Bronze Medallion, Emperor Gallienus, Rome, M.AD258

11.Medallion of One+½ Solidi, Emperor Constantine the Great, Trier, M.AD313-315

12.Athenian Tetradrachm, M.515-510BC

13.Medallion of Eight Aurei, Emperor Cladius II Gothicus, Milan, M.AD268

14.Silver Medallion, Emperor Philip I the Arab, Rome, M.???(falsely attributed to AD164-165, a century before Philip was Emperor)

15.Tristater, Carthaginian Sicily, M.265-241BC

16.Two Athenian Tetradrachmae(reverses), M.470-455BC

Here are two of my most recent acquisitions! Both Denarii of Frederick II, though minted anywhere from 20 to 55 years apart!

1.Kingdom of Sicily, BI Denaro, Emperor+King Henry VI and infant Frederick II, R.1191-1197, 16mm, 0.56g.

-Struck 1194-1197 by Frederick's father, Emperor Henry VI(also grandson of the famed Emperor Frederick I 'Barbarossa'), in expectation that Frederick would succeed him both as King of Sicily and Holy Roman Emperor, and that he did, being crowned King of Sicily in 1198, King of Germany in 1212, Emperor of the Romand and King of Italy in 1220, and King of Jerusalem in 1225 until 1228. Also possibly struck from the massive hoard of silver that England paid to Emperor Henry VI to secure Richard the Lionheart's safe return

-Obv: Facing bust of Frederick, adorned with a Byzantine style crown, similar to that worn by Queen Constance of Sicily(Henry VI's wife), legends around; "FREDERIC' REX".

-Rev: Hohenstauffen heraldic/Imperial Eagle, legends around; "+ E INPERATOR".

-The legends combined read: "FREDERIC' REX + E INPERATOR"(Frederick, King and Emperor).

✠-----------------------------------------------------------------------------✠

2.Holy Roman Empire, AR Denier, Emperor Frederick II, Imperial City of Aachen, R.1198-1250(as King of Sicily)1212-1250(as King of Germany)1220-1250 (as Emperor), 16mm, 1.22g

-This gorgeous piece was struck from 1215-1250, only a few years after Frederick II was crowned King of Germany, which effectively guaranteed him the title of Emperor even before he was officially coronated, and continued to be struck until his death. It's now one of the jewels of my High Middle Age period of collecting, and I hope it resonates with you all as it does with me!

-Obv: Emperor Frederick facing, seated on throne, crowned and wearing Imperial regalia, holding Globus Cruciger in left hand and lily-topped scepter in right hand. Legend: "+FRIDERICVS"

-Rev: Cathedral with large central spire and two smaller towers, lilies in circlets beneath towers. Legend: "+IMPERATOR"

-The legends combined read: "+FRIDERICVS + IMPERATOR"(Frederick, Emperor).

Some incredible pieces here, MFABoston has one one of the greatest on-display collections I've ever seen.

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1.Emperor Constantine the Great Eyes to Heaven Medallion of Five Siliquae

2.Emperor Magnetius approaching Aquiliea Medallion of Three Solidi

3.Emperor Theodore Komnenos-Doukas of Thessalonica with Saint Demetrios Electrum Trachy

4.Gold Stater of the Parisii Gauls

5.Bruttium Tetradrachm with head of Zeus(280-277BC)

6.Emperor Justinian II Solidus with first depiction Christ on a coin in history

7.Cretian Stater with Eagle(320-375BC)

8.Either Darius I or Xerxes Achaemenid Empire Daric

9.Emperor Manuel II Palaiologos Half-Stavraton

10.Emperor Julian the Apostate Solidus

11.Stater of Etruria, Running Gorgon(475-450BC)

12.Emperor Alexios III Angelos with Saint Constantine Hyperpyron

13.Ptolemy I Oktodrachm of Alexandria

14.Emperor Maximian I Herculius Aureus

15.Emperor Septimius Severus Antioch Tetradrachm

16.Emperor Constantius II Solidus Nicomedia

17.Constans Miliarense Thessalonica

18.Empress Licinia Eudoxia Solidus

19.Emperor Constantine with Crispus and Constantine II Miliarense

20.Emperor Probus with Sol Aureus

The late 14th through early 16th centuries is arguably in my opinion, the most beautiful period for Medieval into Early Modern coinage. The Gothic style really took off, seen emulating Gothic arches, foils, and niches, with highly stylized lettering, intricate heraldry, and symbolism that would be recognized generations later.

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The obverse features the shielded arms of the City of Nüremberg: half an heraldic Eagle, the other half alternating downward stripes originating from the House of Raabs as the first Burgraves of Nüremberg. The shield is enclosed within a Gothic quatrefoil, each foil containing tracery. The legends surrounding read; "MEDIVM○SOLIDVS○NVRMBERG"(Half Schilling of Nüremberg). The reverse features a splayed heraldic Imperial Eagle, encircled, and surrounded by the legends; "MONETA○NOVA○ARGENTEA○MINO"(New Small Silver Coin).

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Another beautiful addition to my collection!

Obv: Cross divides legend with smaller Cross within beaded circle; "✠SI | GIS | MVN | DVS✦"

Rev: Crowned Heraldic Eagle of Tyrol, splayed in beaded circle surrounded by legends; "✠COMES •❀• TIROL✦"

This coin is by no means a very rare or super sought after piece, but it is historically important, as it is the first coin to have been issued under the Kreuzer denomination. The equivalent of a Quadruple Pfennig, Sigismund not only officiated the start of this denomination, but he was also able to revolutionize Central Europe's monetary system through reopening the Tyrolean mines with new technology, and as a result of this many surrounding states would begin reopening their silver mines as well. It is from this abundant outflow of silver from home mines that he would issue the first "large" European silver coin, the Guldengroschen. With the abundant production of continental mines and the pouring in of millions of pounds of silver from the Habsburg's Spanish dominions across the Atlantic, this silver surge would lead to the production of the first Thalers several decades later, leaving a lasting legacy on the Western World's currency standard.

Obv: *MAGST·MICHAEL·PRI

Rev: *MONETA·DNORUM·PRU

20.5mm

1.67g

My first coin of the Teutonic Order, didn't think I'd end up finding one until I saw this one listed for what seemed like a decent price.

Rev: Saint Ladislaus, haloed and crowned, holding halberd and Globus Cruciger

Obv: Hungarian Patriarchal Cross, K F mintmark

My only Hungarian coin so far depicting Saint Ladislaus of Hungary, and a rather small one at that, but nevertheless, a beautifully adorable piece.

Exemplary of the Florentine evolution from the late High Middle Ages into and throughout the Renaissance and considered the most important Romano-Gothic church in Tuscany, the church is magnificently decorated and every work of art serves to ornately beautify the church space. Saints line the ribbed vaulting, Biblical scenes cover the apse, side chapels bolster in the crossing, paintings line the walls of the nave, and a massive cloister wraps around the left side of the church. The earliest work is arguably also the most important: Giotto's Crucifix dated between 1288-95, and the latest are several late works done at the tail-end of the Italian Renaissance, for example; Sister Plautilla Nelli's "Last Supper"(1560s), Giorgio Vasari's "Madonna of the Rosary"(1568), Santi di Tito's "Lazarus Raised from the Dead"(1571), and Girolamo Macchietti's "Martyrdom of Saint Laurence"(1573). A nearly 300 year legacy of the evolution of Fine Arts and Religious Iconography.

Also notable, is the burial of the Orthodox Patriarch of Constantinople within the crossing of the Church, Patriarch Joseph II(tomb pictured on slide 17). He was Patriarch of Constantinople from 1416 to his death in 1439. He was the possibly illegitimate son of Bulgarian Tsar Ivan Shishman and a Greek mother, born in 1360, and also cousin of Bulgarian Tsar Konstantin II. He was a monk on Mount Athos before being elected Metropolitan of Ephesus in 1393, and was then elected and raised to the Patriarchal Throne on May 21st, 1416(interestingly enough, my birthday). During his tenure, in 1431 Patriarch Joseph, along with Emperor John VIII Palaiologos, accompanied by 23 Metropolitans and 700 theologians and scholars, attended the Roman Council of Florence in 1431. Not only is he portrayed here in a very unique blend of Orthodox iconography and Gothic art, but he's also featured in the Magi Chapel of the Palazzo Medici, which illustrates the entrance of Byzantine dignitaries into the city of Florence. He died during the proceedings of the Council in 1439, to much sadness by all present, as despite his Orthodox Faith, he sincerely wished for reunion with the Church of Rome. Having died in Florence, permission was given to have him interred there, rather than bring him back to Constantinople. An even more fascinating aspect of this already incredibly storied church.