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Isaac II Angelus, 12 September 1185 - 8 April 1195 A.D.
After the revolution that unseated Andronicus I, Isaac II succeeded to the throne. He was weak and unable to deal with the problems of the Empire. He debased the coinage, sold government posts rather than appoint qualified people, and was a spendthrift. In 1195, he was overthrown and blinded by his brother Alexius.
The pallium was an open vestment used by the Greeks, Romans, and Byzantines as a cloak, or exterior garment. Some writers say it was of a round, others of a semi-circular form. It was so worn (and much nicety was displayed in its proper adjustment) as to be capable of covering the other habiliments, and even to envelop the whole person. On coins the figures of Jesus Christ, the Virgin Mary, saints, emperors and gods, sometimes appear clothed in the pallium.BZ36596. Billon aspron trachy, DOC IV-1 3; CLBC I 7.3.1; Grierson 1130; SBCV 2003; Sommer 65.5, F/VF, scyphate, weight 4.031 g, maximum diameter 29.4 mm, die axis 180o, Constantinople (Istanbul, Turkey) mint, obverse the Virgin enthroned facing, nimbate, wears pallium and maphorium, holds before Her nimbate head of infant Christ, MHP (ligate) - ΘV (Greek abbreviation: Μητηρ Θεου; - Mother of God) across field; reverse I/CAA/KI/OC - ΔEC/ΠO/TH/C, Isaac standing facing facing, wearing crown, divitision, loros, and sagion, cruciform scepter in left, akakia in right, crowned by hand of God above right; SOLD
The pallium was an open vestment used by the Greeks, Romans, and Byzantines as a cloak, or exterior garment. Some writers say it was of a round, others of a semi-circular form. It was so worn (and much nicety was displayed in its proper adjustment) as to be capable of covering the other habiliments, and even to envelop the whole person. On coins the figures of Jesus Christ, the Virgin Mary, saints, emperors and gods, sometimes appear clothed in the pallium.BZ93555. Billon aspron trachy, DOC IV-1 3; CLBC I 7.3.1; Grierson 1130; SBCV 2003; Sommer 65.5; Morrison BnF 64/Cp/(B)/01; Wroth BMC 19 ff.; Ratto 2184 ff., F/aVF, not fully struck, scyphate, weight 3.894 g, maximum diameter 25.7 mm, die axis 180o, Constantinople (Istanbul, Turkey) mint, 1185 - 1195 A.D.; obverse MP-ΘV, the Virgin enthroned facing, nimbate, wears pallium and maphorium, holds before Her nimbate head of infant Christ; reverse I/CAA/KI/OC - ΔEC/ΠO/TH/C (or similar), Isaac standing facing facing, wearing crown, divitision, loros, and sagion, cruciform scepter in left, akakia in right, crowned by hand of God above right; from the Errett Bishop Collection; SOLD
The pallium was an open vestment used by the Greeks, Romans, and Byzantines as a cloak, or exterior garment. Some writers say it was of a round, others of a semi-circular form. It was so worn (and much nicety was displayed in its proper adjustment) as to be capable of covering the other habiliments, and even to envelop the whole person. On coins the figures of Jesus Christ, the Virgin Mary, saints, emperors and gods, sometimes appear clothed in the pallium.BZ93557. Billon aspron trachy, DOC IV-1 3; CLBC I 7.3.1; Grierson 1130; SBCV 2003; Sommer 65.5; Morrison BnF 64/Cp/(B)/01; Wroth BMC 19 ff.; Ratto 2184 ff., F, not fully struck, scyphate, weight 2.956 g, maximum diameter 25.6 mm, die axis 180o, Constantinople (Istanbul, Turkey) mint, 12 Sep 1185 - 8 Apr 1195 A.D.; obverse MP-ΘV, the Virgin enthroned facing, nimbate, wears pallium and maphorium, holds before Her nimbate head of infant Christ; reverse I/CAA/KI/OC - ΔEC/ΠO/TH/C, Isaac standing facing facing, wearing crown, divitision, loros, and sagion, cruciform scepter in left, akakia in right, crowned by hand of God above right; from the Errett Bishop Collection; SOLD
Isaac II debased the coinage, sold appointments to government posts, and was a spendthrift. He was overthrown and blinded by his brother.BB75466. Billon aspron trachy, DOC IV-1 3b var. (inscription arrangement); CLBC I 7.3.1; Grierson 1130; SBCV 2003; Sommer 65.5, VF, scyphate, Virgin's head not fully struck, edge cuts, weight 3.793 g, maximum diameter 28.5 mm, die axis 180o, Constantinople (Istanbul, Turkey) mint, 1st reign, 1185 - 1195; obverse the Virgin enthroned facing, nimbate, wears pallium and maphorium, holds before Her nimbate head of infant Christ, MP - ΘV (Greek abbreviation: Μητηρ Θεου; - Mother of God) across field flanking head; reverse ICA/AKI/OC - ΔEC/ΠO/T/H (or simillar, OT ligate), Isaac standing facing facing, wearing crown, divitision, loros, and sagion, cruciform scepter in left, akakia in right, crowned by hand of God above right, eight jewels on collar; SOLD
The maphorium (maphorion) was a loose sleeveless hooded outerwear mantel, cloak or shawl, worn by medieval women outdoors in public. The Virgin Mary is most often depicted wearing a maphorium, as seen in the icon below. It is a cloth which usually covers the head and is worn around the neck and chin. At many stages of medieval culture it was unseemly for a married woman to show her hair. A maphorium might be elaborately starched, and creased and folded in prescribed ways, even supported on wire or wicker framing.BZ01099. Billon aspron trachy, SBCV 2003 (with stars above each arm of throne), gVF, scyphate, weight 2.84 g, maximum diameter 27.8 mm, die axis 180o, Constantinople (Istanbul, Turkey) mint, obverse the Virgin enthroned facing, nimbate, wears pallium and maphorium; holds before Her nimbate head of infant Christ, star above each arm of throne, MP - ΘV (Greek abbreviation: Μητηρ Θεου; - Mother of God) across field; reverse to l. I/CAA/KI/OC, to r. ΔeC/ΠO/TH/C, Isaac stg. facing; wears crown, divitision, loros, and sagion; cruciform scepter in left, akakia in right, crowned by hand of God upper r.; very scarce variety; SOLD
In Hebrew, Michael means "who is like God." Archangel Michael is mentioned three times in the Book of Daniel, once as a "great prince who stands up for the children of your people." The idea that Michael was the advocate of the Jews became so prevalent that in spite of the rabbinical prohibition against appealing to angels as intermediaries between God and his people, Michael came to occupy a certain place in the Jewish liturgy. In the Book of Revelation, Michael leads God's armies and defeats Satan's forces. Christian sanctuaries to Michael appeared in the 4th century, when he was first seen as a healing angel, and then over time as a protector and the leader of the army of God against the forces of evil. By the 6th century, devotions to Archangel Michael were widespread both in the Eastern and Western Churches.SH53615. Electrum aspron trachy, DOC IV 2c, SBCV 2002, EF, scyphate, weight 4.107 g, maximum diameter 30.1 mm, die axis 180o, Constantinople (Istanbul, Turkey) mint, obverse the Virgin enthroned facing, nimbate, wears pallium and maphorium; holds before Her nimbate head of infant Christ, three pellets forming triangle on each side of throne, MHP (ligate) - ΘV (Greek abbreviation: Μητηρ Θεου; - Mother of God) high across field; reverse ICAAKIOC Δ, Θ (between heads), X/MI (on r.), Archangel Michael standing facing (on right), nimbate, in military attire, scepter in left, crowing Isaac with right; Isaac standing facing, wears divitsion and chlamys, cruciform scepter in left, akakia in right; very scarce; SOLD
In Hebrew, Michael means "who is like God." Archangel Michael is mentioned three times in the Book of Daniel, once as a "great prince who stands up for the children of your people." The idea that Michael was the advocate of the Jews became so prevalent that in spite of the rabbinical prohibition against appealing to angels as intermediaries between God and his people, Michael came to occupy a certain place in the Jewish liturgy. In the Book of Revelation, Michael leads God's armies and defeats Satan's forces. Christian sanctuaries to Michael appeared in the 4th century, when he was first seen as a healing angel, and then over time as a protector and the leader of the army of God against the forces of evil. By the 6th century, devotions to Archangel Michael were widespread both in the Eastern and Western Churches.SH10986. Electrum aspron trachy, DOC IV 2c, SBCV 2002, EF, scyphate, weight 3.572 g, maximum diameter 28.3 mm, die axis 180o, Constantinople (Istanbul, Turkey) mint, 12 Sep 1185 - 8 Apr 1195 A.D.; obverse MP-ΘV, the Virgin enthroned facing, nimbate, wears pallium and maphorium; holds before Her nimbate head of infant Christ; reverse ICAAKIOC Δ, Θ (between heads), X/MI (on r.), Archangel Michael, stg nimbate on right in military attire, scepter in left, crowing Isaac with right; Isaac stg on left wears divitsion and chlamys, cruciform scepter in left, akakia in right; very scarce; SOLD
Byzantine Empire, Isaac II Angelus, 12 September 1185 - 8 April 1195 A.D.
In Hebrew, Michael means "who is like God." Archangel Michael is mentioned three times in the Book of Daniel, once as a "great prince who stands up for the children of your people." The idea that Michael was the advocate of the Jews became so prevalent that in spite of the rabbinical prohibition against appealing to angels as intermediaries between God and his people, Michael came to occupy a certain place in the Jewish liturgy. In the Book of Revelation, Michael leads God's armies and defeats Satan's forces. Christian sanctuaries to Michael appeared in the 4th century, when he was first seen as a healing angel, and then over time as a protector and the leader of the army of God against the forces of evil. By the 6th century, devotions to Archangel Michael were widespread both in the Eastern and Western Churches.BZ91212. Bronze tetarteron, cf. DOC IV 5c; Sommer 65.8; Hendy pl. 21, 10; Wroth BMC 44; Ratto 2198; Morrisson BnF 64/Th/AE/1; SBCV 2005, gVF, nice dark green patina, choice obverse, struck on a cut fragment of an older coin (typical for the type), rev. slightly off center, tiny edge cracks, very nice for the type!, weight 4.859 g, maximum diameter 21.2 mm, die axis 180o, Thessalonica (Salonika, Greece) mint, 12 Sep 1185 - 8 Apr 1195 A.D.; obverse X / AP-X / MI (or similar, in two columnar groups), winged bust of Archangel Michael facing, nimbate, simple jeweled scepter in right hand, globus cruciger in left hand, wearing divitision, collar-piece, and loros; reverse ICA/AKI/OC - ΔE/CΠOT/HC (or similar, in two columnar groups), half-length bust of Isaac facing, scepter cruciger in right hand, anexikakia in left hand, wearing crown, stemma, divitision, collar piece and loros; ex Münzen & Medaillen GmbH; very scarce; SOLD
This type is described in references with Archangel Michael on the obverse, however, Isaac was clearly on the anvil side (obverse) die.BZ51316. Bronze half tetarteron, DOC IV-1 6 variety (legend variations, type is not in the DO collection, catalog refs example in BN Paris), SBCV 2006, BMC -, Hahn -, gVF, weak areas, weight 1.244 g, maximum diameter 17.5 mm, die axis 180o, uncertain Greek mint, obverse IC/A - A/GS (or similar), half-length bust of Isaac, wearing crown and loros, cruciform scepter in right, akakia in left; reverse AO...?, winged, nimbate, facing, half-length bust of Archangel Michael, wearing divitision; extremely rare; SOLD
Isaac II debased the coinage, sold appointments to government posts, and was a spendthrift. He was overthrown and blinded by his brother.SH68073. Billon aspron trachy, DOC IV-1 3c var. (inscription arrangement); CLBC I 7.3.1; Grierson 1130; SBCV 2003; Sommer 65.5, EF, scyphate, edge flaw and hole, weight 3.532 g, maximum diameter 29.7 mm, die axis 180o, Constantinople (Istanbul, Turkey) mint, 1st reign, 1185 - 1195; obverse the Virgin enthroned facing, nimbate, wears pallium and maphorium, holds before Her nimbate head of infant Christ, MP - ΘV (Greek abbreviation: Μητηρ Θεου; - Mother of God) high across field; reverse ICA/AKI/OC - ΔEC/ΠO/T/H, Isaac standing facing facing, wearing crown, divitision, loros, and sagion, cruciform scepter in left, akakia in right, crowned by hand of God above right, eight jewels on collar; rare in this condition; SOLD
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