 |
|
|
||
|
||||
 |
||||
|
|
 |
|
|
The coins of Michael II of Epirus make up an interesting but little known subgroup of the later Byzantine coinage. They are all at best very rare, and some of the attributions are
somewhat questionable. Since there is little information available outside specialist literature on these types, this article seeks to summarise the current state of knowledge for the ordinary collector, and to assess
the reliability of the conventional attributions. The Greek Despotate of Epirus In 1204 Constantinople fell to the crusaders. The "Despotate" of Epirus, as it later came to be called, was one of the remnants of the Byzantine Empire that remained under Greek rule after that disaster, along with the "Empires" of Nicea and Trebizond. Epirus was ruled until 1215 by Michael I Angelus-Comnenus-Ducas, and then by his half-brother Theodore, who succeeded in extending his rule to Macedonia, capturing Thessalonica from the Latins in 1224, thus turning the Despotate of Epirus into the Empire of Thessalonica. However, after he was defeated in 1230 by the Bulgarians under Ivan Asen, Theodore was deposed and exiled, and Macedonia became a vassal state of Bulgaria, under the nominal rule of Theodore's brother Manuel. Epirus itself however, remained basically free, now under the rule of Michael II, son of Michael I, and nephew of Manuel and Theodore. Initially Michael was nominally subject to Manuel in Thessalonica, but from c.1236 he was generally acknowledged as ruler of Epirus in his own right, a position he maintained (with more than a few ups and downs) until his death c.1270, although for much of the time he was essentially the vassal of John III in Nicea or Michael VIII in Constantinople. After Michael II's death, his eldest son Nicepheros ruled Epirus proper as Despot, while an illegitimate son, John Dukas, ruled the region of Thessaly known to the crusaders as the "Duchy of Neopatras", which remained more or less independent until well into the 14th century. The Coins of Michael II. Despite his long rule, Michael II issued few coins, and it is now difficult to define them all with certainty, and almost impossible, in many cases, to determine their date of issue. So where do we start? - for our purposes the most convenient treatment is that of Bendall, who summarised the standard views on Michael's coins in Num. Circ. 1996, pp. 3-5, listing one silver trachy and some 10 possible bronze trachea (only seven of which are listed in Sear). Now some of the attributions of those types are uncertain, but others seem relatively clear cut, so let us begin with the latter. (Note that it is generally assumed that coins of Epirus in the name of Michael are issues of Michael II rather than Michael I, except for Sear 2227, which is not considered here). P.S. (July 2010) - Pictures of examples of many of the coins listed here can now be found in Eleni Lianta's excellent new book "Late Byzantine Coins 1204-1453 in the Ashmolean Museum University of Oxford", Spink, London, 2009. Silver ("electrum") trachy of Epirus. Note that the ruler of interest on this and the following types usually seems to wear a short beard (at most).
Bendall 1 (S.2230).
Obv: Christ std on backless throne, r. arm raised in blessing, gospels in l.h.
To l, "IC/X/M"; to r, "XC/AK"
Rev: Michael stdg on l, and Constantine on r, in loroi, hldg lab. hdd sc. btwn; each also holds sc. cr. To l, "(MI)XAH(/\); to r, KW(NCTAN)TIN(OC)" Here an attribution to a ruler named Michael is clearly justified, with the AK on the obverse possibly indicating Michael Angelus-Comnenus (rather than Michael Palaeologos), although another possible interpretation might be Arta Kastra. Hendy's reading of the obverse sigla as IC(a)AK(oc), a supposed mint official, seems unlikely (to say the the least), seeing that it leaves the XC hanging. (In any case, the exact interpretation of these sigla is not crucial to the attribution of this type. Similar sigla occur on the similar trachy S.2158 of Theodore C-D with a Christ obverse, but not on the other silver trachea of Theodore with the Virgin on the obverse). Note also that the dies for this type, and for the other issues of Epirus in finer style, notably Coins 2, 5 and 6 below, were quite possibly cut in Thessalonica for use in Arta. Bronze trachea, probably of Epirus. Note that most of the types in this section feature an AP monogram in the obverse field. It is tempting to think that this stands for Arta, but in some cases at least it occurs with a chi (X) and clearly simply means archangel (as with the similar devices on the Thessalonican issues S.2183 of Manuel C-D and S.2165 of Theodore C-D); nonetheless it still ties the various types of this period together. Bendall No 2 (S.2231, Gr. 1278). Obv: B. Christ, raising r.h. in front of chest. "IC-XC". Rev: Ruler in lor. stdg on l, hldg sc. cr, and Arch. on r, both hldg sword btwn w. their left hands; Arch. also crowns ruler w. r. hand. To l, "MIXAH/\ OD". This type has been found at Arta (Arch. Delt. 24 1969, B', p.248, #21) and also at Aghios Achilleios in north-western Macedonia (ditto last reference). It was originally attributed to Manuel Comnenus-Ducas at Thessalonica (as Hendy's original Type E of Manuel), but on the Aghios Achilleios example the legend apparently reads as above, so that it would seem clear that this is an issue of Michael II at Arta. (Note that Bendall expands the legend to "O D(ovkac)", although this is presumably not meant literally). However, this type presents some problems. According to Jordanov there were no less than 7 examples of the type in the very late Latin period hoard of Dolna Kabda in north-east Bulgaria (Coins 1412-18), 6 of which were small module types, with one of medium module, and some of these were struck on cut down large module coins, apparently issues of Manuel C-D. If true, this would suggest that this type is a coin of Manuel Comnenus-Ducas from Thessalonica, as was originally thought. It is noticable, however, that these small types do not seem to appear in any of the numerous other later Latin period hoards, so there must be some doubt about the identifications of the Dolna Kabda examples (which are all cut down to the very small Series III size)*. For the present, then, Epirus has to be accepted as the source of this type, an idea which is supported by its rarity. It is also conceivable that this type was originally issued by Manuel in Thessalonica, and then copied by Michael in Epirus under his own name in the late 1230's, but if so, where are the large module originals of Manuel? (which would, presumably, be more common than Michael's type). Note incidentally that Grierson most inadvisedly later reused the Type E label for another quite similar issue of Manuel Comnenus-Ducas (S.2181), which can only lead to confusion - it certainly confused me, and apparently Grierson as well, since on p.378 of his "Byzantine Coins" he labels coin 1208 as the (new) Type E of Manuel, when it is actually Type D (cf. p.262 for the correct descriptions). * The pictures in the Dolna Kabda report are indecipherable. One of the Dolna Kabda coins appears somewhat more clearly in Jordanov's "Coins and Coin Usage in Medieval Bulgaria, 1081-1261" (Sofia, 1984), as coin 11, Pl. XXXIII, but even there a positive identification is not possible. It is therefore difficult for us to make our own judgement on the coins in question, but it would seem unlikely that Jordanov has misidentified all of them, and it is not clear what other type they could be. Bendall 4,9. (S.2232, Ash. 470 - reduced module type?). Obv: B. Archangel, hldg jewelled sc. & orb. In field to l, AP (ligatured); to r, M? Rev: Michael stdg on l, in lor, hldg sc. cr. & aka, crowned by Christ (or Virgin?) r. To l, "MIXAH/\ ODov". The reverse legend is clear and confirms this rare type as an issue of Michael II. The Ashmolean coin weighs 1.75g. Another example of this type (the one shown in DOC IV and as No. 4 in Bendall's article) is broken, and seems a little small for a full sized trachy. From the data in Bertele's original article on this coin (in Byzantinische Zeitschrift 1961) we see that it would have weighed c.1.9 gm originally, and had design borders 19mm across, figures which are on the lower limits for large module types. Although the known examples of this type are not particularly large, it is still noticable that they are unclipped, which is one reason for attributing this type to Arta, rather than a more Eastern mint. Also, given that these coins mostly (all?) came from the Bertele collection, it seems that they may have circulated in the western Balkans (rather than Bulgaria) in any case. This type is very similar (but somewhat different in detail) to the scarce full size trachy S.2298 attributed to Michael VIII at Thessalonica (cf. CNG 66-1797), where the Archangel holds a trilobate sceptre. (Cf. also S.2336, if this is actually a separate type). Bendall 5 (S.2235, Ash. 475). Obv: B. Archangel, hldg jewelled sc. & globus (without cross?) In field, obscure symbols. (X/AP (lig.)-X/M, according to Hendy). Rev: Michael stdg on l, wearing chlamys & domed crown (of despot?), hldg trilobate (palm leaf?) sc. & aka?, crowned by John III Vatatzes (with forked beard), wearing loros & ordinary crown, and hldg sc. cr. To l, "MIXAH/\", To r, "IWENXW" (or subsets thereof). The reverse legend is well established here, so that the characters are almost certainly Michael II and John III. There is no actual record of Michael being made Despot by John, but it reasonable to assume that he was (as his son Nicepheros certainly was). If so, then possibly this type dates from 1252/3, when Michael was forced to submit to John III, after he had tried his luck attacking the expanding empire of Nicea. (Hendy dates this type to 1248, supposedly on the occasion of the marriage of John's daughter to Nicepheros, although, according to Norwich, this marriage didn't actually take place until some eight years later, i.e, after John's death). Bendall 6 (S.2236). Obv: Virg. h/l, orans. "MP-qV" In field below l, A-P (Bendall), or X/D-X/P (Hendy). Rev: As previous (exactly). No examples of this type with a clear reverse legend are known, but otherwise the reverse is exactly as in the previous type, so it too is presumably an issue of Michael II. Hendy, in a rather confusing passage in DOC IV, wants to make this type an issue of Thessalonica, on the basis of a supposed similarity of the sigla on the obverse with the D-P found on some of John III's issues (of Magnesia), but to others the sigla look more like A-P (perhaps meaning, in this case, Arta?). In any case both of the last two types have apparently been found at Arta. Hendy Pl. 41, 20-21; Sear 2225; Ash. 436-9. Obv: B. Christ (beardless), with r. hand in front of chest; "IC-XC". On some, "OE/MM/A - Nov/H/\", or sim. Rev: Arch. stdg in diamond pattern lor, hldg lab. (r. hand high) & gl. cr. Blw, to l, X/AP (ligatured) & to r, X/M. This scarce anonymous type (not included in Bendall's article) is very similar to the much commoner Latin Type P, but St Michael holds a full labarum and the reverse legends are at the bottom. Hendy makes this type an issue of Thessalonica, on the basis of the fine style, and in DOC IV assigns it to Demetrius Comnenus-Ducas, on the basis, apparently, of who else? However, the type seems unlikely to be an issue of this ruler at Thessalonica, given the fact that it is apparently only known in large module format (Hendy's typically dismissive comments on this objection notwithstanding - this type is generally heavier than the coins of John C-D, and therefore could hardly, if it was an issue of Thessalonica, be later than John). In any case, if it is, as seems likely, the prototype of the Latin P, then it can hardly be later than the mid 1220's, in which case it could well be an issue of Theodore C-D rather than Michael II. According to Greek sources (e.g, I. Touratsoglu, Rev. numismatique, 2002, p.387), this type has been found at Arta, and it was also found at Aghios Achilleios in north-west Macedonia, suggesting that it is an issue of Epirus (although perhaps the dies came from Thessalonica). As well, this type is not found in any Latin period finds in Bulgaria or Thrace, and it seems that, unlike the other large module issues of Thessalonica, it is usually found unclipped, all of which supports a western origin for the type. Bronze trachea, possibly of Epirus. Bendall No 3 (S.2233). Obv: B. Mil. St (Theodore) hldg large shield in each hand. ("OAgioc-qeodoroc" or sim. in col. form). Rev: Emp. h/l in lor. and Mil. St (Demetrius?) h/l hldg long sword(?) btwn; manus dei abv. emp. from star-in-cloud sky abv. centre. No clear legend. This type is very similar to the Thessalonican trachy S.2182 of Manuel Comnenus-Ducas, where Theodore holds a spear in his right hand (over his left shoulder), and a (large) shield in his left hand. Furthermore, one of Bendall's two examples one is halved, and the other is, seemingly, trimmed, which would suggest that this type is an issue of Thessalonica rather than Arta. The only thing that suggests it is an issue of Epirus is its rarity - the only examples that I am aware of are the two coins shown in Bendall's article. (The lightweight coin offered in the "Despot" sale is in my opinion probably an example of the relatively common small module version of S.2182, although it sold for ChF 2800!). If this type is actually an issue of Epirus it could well be a companion piece to S.2182, in which case it could possibly have been issued in the name of Manuel rather than Michael. Or it could possibly be just a variant of S.2182 from Thessalonica, although the two examples in Bendall's article seem to be from different dies (assuming the halved coin isn't just another S.2182). In any case, wherever this type comes from, for it to be really convincing as a separate issue, we need to see an unclipped full weight example, preferably with a readable legend. Bendall 11 (DOC IV p. 703, Uncertain No. 9, Type B of Arta?; not in Sear). Obv: B. Mil. St (Demetrius?) holding spear and scroll(?). Legend obscure, but to r, A. Rev: Two crowned figures, both wearing loros, hldg patriarchal cr. btwn, w. the l.h. figure senior. No clear legends. Stylistically, this type is perhaps closer to the routine issues of Thessalonica than to most of the types discussed so far. However, there was one example of this type in the well known Arta 1923 hoard of the early 1260's (Class VIII), and other examples have apparently been found in the excavations at Arta. Given this, and the scarcity of this type, plus the "A" on the obverse in the same style as on other Arta issues (e.g, Bendall 1 above), it is reasonable to conclude that this type is very likely an issue of Epirus. However, given the lack of detailed legends, I will leave this type in the possible rather than probable category for the present. The identities of the characters are not known with certainty – Mattingly suggested the type might a late joint issue of Michael II and Nicepheros, which at least fits the few facts we have to go on, while Hendy prefers Constantine for the second figure. Note that this type is generally very similar to S.2267 of Michael VIII with Constantine, but with differences in the details - e.g, here the left hand figure is senior, as we would expect if two actual rulers are shown. (Grierson's theory that the Arta 1923 coin was a badly struck example of S.2267 is clearly incorrect). It also seems that this type is struck on a somewhat lower weight scale than the issues of Michael VIII. Bendall: Num. Circ. 2002, p.104, 2. Obv: Christ std on backless throne; "?-XC". Rev: Archangel stdg, hldg ? sc. in l. hand. Blw r, X/M? Another anonymous type (not in Bendall's 1996 article). Known only from a single clipped example, this type is included here because it is possibly, as Bendall suggests, a companion issue of S.2225 (see above), although the clipping suggests it could also be a Latin issue. Another anonymous type which is possibly linked to these types is the rare (unique?) "Latin" Type Q. This is possibly an imitative type, as Hendy assumed, but its rarity and nonappearance in Latin period hoards suggest that it may be an issue of Epirus (see "The Bulgarian & Latin Imitative Types" for more details). DOC IV p.702, Uncertain No. 8, Type A of Arta? Obv: B. Christ; "IC-XC". Rev: Ruler stdg on l, in chlamys, hldg jew'd sc? & ?, crowned by Virgin r. No clear legends. Hendy suggests this type as a possible issue of Arta, although there is nothing except rarity to connect this type to Epirus, or anywhere else. It is very similar to one of the trachea* of Stefan Radislav Dukas (1228-33) of Serbia, and it is not impossible that it is a Latin imitative type, based, as Stefan's type probably is, on coins of Manuel Comnenus-Ducas. * Gr. 1279, a trachy in fine style, with B. Christ Emmanuel on the obverse, and czar in loros crowned by the Virgin on the reverse, with a full circular legend. Bendall No 7 (S.2237, Ash. 476-7, - medium to large type mostly). Obv: Castle (Walled City) with three towers. Rev: Ruler stdg on l, wearing (diamond panelled?) loros & ordinary crown, r. hand in front of chest (hldg nothing?) & aka. in l, crowned by ruler (or saint?) on r. wearing (diamond panelled?) loros & ordinary crown, and hldg jewelled? sc. To l, "…ANI…"? In Sear the reverse of this type is said to be the same as that of No's 5 and 6 above, but in fact it is different in detail and usually much cruder in style. The attribution of this type has always been, and still is, a problem. Although it is normally treated as a large module type, the type is also found in medium module (Series IIb) size*, and there were reportedly two very small module (Series III size) examples of the type in Penchev's Petrich hoard of late Latin period coins from southern Bulgaria (Coins 991-2). All of this suggests that this type is an issue of John, or maybe Demetrius, Comnenus-Ducas at Thessalonica. According to Penchev (p. 90), one of the Petrich coins showed the fragmentary legend "..ANI..", which if correct would confirm John ("Iwanic") as the left hand ruler, despite the fact that the figure seems to show a short beard - otherwise he could be Demetrius. In either case it's then tempting to assume that the right hand figure is John III, despite the fact that we have no clear legend naming him, so that this type possibly belongs to the period 1242-44, when John C-D ruled in Thessalonica as despot under John III, or 1244-46 when Demetrius was despot. However, there are problems with this idea. To start with, John C-D is usually shown with no beard, apparently because of his youth, but by 1242 he had probably reached puberty, which could explain the beard on this type**. Also, it must be said that none of the pictures of this type clearly show the senior figure with a forked beard, so there is definitely a problem making him John Vatatzes. But, if he is not John Vatatzes, then who is he? There is, as Hendy suggested, a possible alternative. The close resemblance of the design of this type to the trachy S.2181 of Manuel C-D (with Constantine on the right) is obvious, suggesting that here we have a similar issue of John C-D. (This attribution might explain, incidently, the fact that this type is rather commoner than the other issues attributed to Michael II). Against this the crude style is certainly not typical of the mint of Thessalonica, although there are perhaps similarities with S.2183 of Manuel C-D. In any case, in the end the fact that this type is not found clipped would seem to rule out Thessalonica (or Bulgaria) as the source of this type, so we seem to be left only with Arta, or at least a mint in the western Balkans, as the source. Perhaps then the source is Serbia, which is suggested by the general similarity of the type to the trachies of Stefan Radislav (which copy those of Manuel C-D), and in particular by the jewelled lab. sc. held by the right hand figure to that in Radislav's trachy Grierson 1280 (DOC IV-2). On the other hand, the known Serbian types are all in fine style, perhaps using Thessalonican dies. Clearly, the attribution of this type is a problem which is yet to satisfactorily resolved, so that it might be more appropriate to include in the "Uncertain" group below. * The examples in the Ashmolean and DOC IV all seem to be of medium module, and a smallish module (1.7 gm) example of this type appeared in the Spinks sale in N. Circ. May 1980 (Lot 2439). On the other hand I have seen five coins in the market weighing from 2.22+ gms (Coin 3319 in the Stacks 12/01/2009 Sale) to 3.0 gms (Goldberg 55-602), although the figures on some of these coins at least are apparently only 15-16 mm high, typical of Series IIb, and another of the exceptional features of this type. (Cf. Article "The Coins of John Comnenus-Ducas" for the Series IIb types in general). ** See, e.g, Bendall and Protonotarios, N. Circ. 1978, p.178, Coin 2 (note). Note also that the Series III version of the small Latin Type A of Constantinople issued in the name of John C-D (Petrich hoard, coins 938-60) shows the emperor with a short beard. Uncertain bronze trachea. Coins 8 and 9 here were included in Bendall's list because examples of these types, and also of Coin 7, were part of a group of coins originally acquired by Bertele in the western Balkans which didn't seem to fit anywhere else. At first sight it might seem that these small or smallish types are probably issues of Thessalonica. However, there are difficulties with this idea. To begin with, they lack large module counterparts, although this is certainly not a fatal objection. But furthermore, the ruler in all cases seems to have a beard, which might seem to rule out John C-D, while on the other hand the examples shown by Bendall are not struck on cut-down large module types, as is often the case with the small issues of Theodore and Manuel C-D. However, my guess is that these types could still in fact be issues of Thessalonica, possibly late Series III or, in the case of Coin 9, Series IIb, issues of John Comnenus-Ducas, since, as we have seen earlier, the fact that the ruler is bearded may not necessarily exclude John, or they could perhaps even be issues of Demetrius C-D. However, these types do not seem to have appeared in any late Latin period finds in Bulgaria or Greece, which again tends to militate against their being issues of Thessalonica. On the other hand, there is nothing, other than their apparent provenance, to specifically tie any of them to Epirus (or anywhere else), so that their attribution remains uncertain. Bendall No. 8 (S.2234, Ash. 474 - small module type). Obv: Star over crescent, "P" (Pi?) abv? Rev: Bearded? ruler stdg in loros hldg sc. cr. & aka. Bendall thought that the small size of this type meant that it was a later issue of Epirus, but as just stated, there is no specific evidence to support this identification. Bendall No. 9 (S.----, small-medium type?). This type now seems to be the same as S.2332 above. Obv: B. Arch, hldg jewelled sc? & orb? Rev: Ruler 3/4 l. on l. hldg sc. cr. & aka, crowned by Arch? r. Bendall No. 10 (S.----, Ash. 471-3 - small module type). Obv: B. Mil. St (Demetrius), hldg swd & shld. Rev: Ruler stdg in chlamys on l, hldg sc. cr. & aka, crowned by Christ r. Small star over crescent in right field blw. To l, "X/M? EC"; to r, "IC-XC". Another small type, like No. 8, to which it seems to be connected by the reverse symbol. This type is very similar to S.2177/2184 of Manuel Comnenus-Ducas, but the minor details are somewhat different (the chlamys is not diamond panelled, and there is the added crescent in right field on the reverse). The reverse legend is unclear but might (on one coin) read X/M (D)EC, in which case this could well be a late issue of Michael II. However, the legend is doubtful, and doesn't really read like the other legends of Michael. (The type is too small for Michael VIII). For the present, then, the identification remains uncertain. Conclusion. The above coins clearly do not form a homogeneous group, and it seems that they may represent more than one ruler. Several of the coins can be confirmed as issues of Michael II of Epirus, but other types could well be issues of Thessalonica, possibly by Manuel Comnenus-Ducas or his successors. The "Castle" type (Coin 7 above) is a particular problem - it seems more likely an issue of a western mint than of Thessalonica, but the current attribution to John Vatatzes (and whoever) has its problems. The three smallish module types (Nos. 8-10) also present problems - there are difficulties (perhaps not insuperable) in assigning them to Thessalonica, but, apart from one doubtful legend, there is little to specifically link them with Epirus, or anywhere else for that matter.
Ross Glanfield June 2007. (P.S. Some other possible issues of Arta, but probably of Theodore Comnenus-Ducas rather than Michael II, are discussed in the Note "The Arta 1983 Hoard"). Latest Revisions: 18 June '07: (Epirus preferred for Bendall Coin 2). |
|
|
| [Home] [Articles] [Notes] [Data] |