Ancient Coins: BYZANTINE SILVER: John VII, 1390-1402

AR 1/2 Stavrata, 3.69g.  19mm.  Constantinople, 1399-1403.   Facing bust of Christ holding book of Gospels; two stars as sigla above legend.  Rev. Facing bust of John VII wearing crown and nimbus; pellet to left and right.   Sear 2562.  DOC, Vol. 5. p. 227, table 30,1 for sigla and pl. 71,1328 var(sigla).  Sommer 89.1 Toned and rare.  The silver coinage of John VII  is distinguished by a legend varinat, a different pattern of surrounding pellets, weight variation, and sigla from the much more common issues of John VIII. 

Provenance/Pedigree:
Ex: Gorny and Mosch, Munich, Auction 134, 2004, lot 3336.

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