Antonio Venier Billon Tornesello

Firstly a Groat is 4 old pence (4d) or 1/60th of a Pound. These have the Young Head of Queen Victoria on them and many were also struck for use in our overseas Colonies, but they were still legal tender and used in this country. You have the youthful portrait of Queen Victoria on one side and a rather beautiful rendition of Britannia seated on the reverse. One of the most underappreciated Victorian coins. They were issued from 1838-1861 and are are struck in Sterling Silver and are at least 160 years old. Let’s face it many collectors don’t even know that a Groat was ever issued. Dates will be of our choice, but the more you order the more different dates we will try and give you. Please do not ask for specific dates as they will no doubt be the rare dates.

Born in 225 A.D, Gordian III became Roman Emperor at the age of 13, reigning from 238 to 244 AD. His ascension followed the chaotic Year of the Six Emperors. Despite his youth, Gordian III faced major challenges such as the Sassanian Empire’s incursions. Tragically, Gordian III died under suspicious circumstances at the age of 19, sparking speculation about possible foul play in the imperial court. These coins were struck in the ancient Bithynian city of Nicaea (now İznik, Turkey) which is famous for the council of Nicaea in 325 A.D by Constantine I which formed the basis for Christianity today. The coins have the legends in Greek with the bust of Gordian III on the obverse and three to four army standards on the reverse with the legend N-I-K-AI-EWN (Nicaea) between the standards.

Born in 630 A.D., Constans II became the Byzantine Emperor at the tender age of 11, reigning from 641 to 668 A.D. Despite his youth, he confronted a myriad of challenges, including conflicts with the Arab Caliphate and internal strife within the empire. In an endeavour to evade persistent threats from the Arab Caliphate, Constans II made the significant decision to relocate the capital from Constantinople to Syracuse. Notable for his initiatives to fortify the Byzantine military and his contributions to architecture, Constans II’s reign came to a tragic end in 668 A.D. when he was assassinated during a rebellion orchestrated by his chamberlain. We are offering these 40 Nummi struck in Constantinople on irregular shaped flans showing a beardless Constans on the obverse and a large M on the reverse, all have a sandy/earth patina, and they come in VG-Fine grade and are very reasonably priced.