Possibly another Byzantine coin? Or something else? [gelöst]

Here is possibly another Byzantine coin – or even a pseudo-Byzantine (Arab?) copy? I’m not even sure if this is a complete coin, or a fragment of a larger piece, or a misshapen complete coin (something like a Spanish cob, though perhaps not Spanish).

I’m not even sure which is the correct way round in which to view this coin, so you may need to rotate it (sorry!).




Side 1 is dominated by what looks like a Lombardic M, with other vague shapes adjoining.

Side 2 has a long rectangular shape (A) about 9mm long, at one end terminating with a wider transverse rectangle (B) with long strands running alongside (A). The combined AB shape might represent a standing figure (with B perhaps representing the shoulders?); or an axe (B might be the axe-head?); or a sword-hilt (with B representing the sword’s guard); or something entirely different. And once again, I’m sorry to sound so vague.

On the left side of the Side 2 image is either a loop (a handle of some sort?) or perhaps a human arm raised in a V-shape.

Side 2 has 2-3 faint letters to the left of shape The letters might be: I N I or maybe I N T?

The metal looks to be either copper or bronze, and weighs about 4.23 gr. Because it is more rectangular than circular (which made me think about Spanish cobs!), this coin - or coin fragment - measures approximately 23x18mm.

Thanks.

green153

Yes, side 2 is definitely a figure with each arm engaged in something. Right arm may be holding a cross-tipped staff. Left arm could be holding globus? Also, a letter K or maybe R is visible on the right side.

SInce one of the other coins was Byzantine, maybe this one, too?

That M is pretty distinctive, so maybe someone will recognize it.

Thanks, pal!

green153

Maybe one of these:

In Numista catalog: https://en.numista.com/catalogue/pieces165640.html

Or, from Wildwinds: Constans II. 641-668 AD. AE Follis. EN TVTO NIKA, Constans, beardless, crowned and wearing chlamys, standing facing, holding long cross and cross on globe / large m (lower case), ANA to left, nothing, cross or star above, NEOS to right, officina letter and I, II or IIII below (45 combinations known). SB 1000, MIB 162a-c
https://www.wildwinds.com/coins/byz/constans_II/sb1000.jpg

Congratulations - I think you may have cracked the mystery! I’ve looked at the images of both the 40 Nummi (Constantinopolis, class 2) on the en.numista website and the various bronze folles listed by Wildwinds (of which there are many examples, though only about 5 feature the distinctively large, lower-case m).

The 40 Nummi image together with its description is pretty convincing. Given the few details visible on my coin, I don’t suppose it’s possible to fine-tune the identification any further than this. So once again, well done! And my sincere thanks.

green153