Unraveling the Mysteries: My Deep Dive into the Anonymous Class B Follis Classification

Lately, I’ve been completely hooked on Byzantine coins, especially those overlooked Anonymous Class B follis pieces from Romanus III’s reign. While everyone chases Class A2 and A3 varieties, I kept coming back to Class B’s details and rarities after discovering Orestes H. Zervos’ groundbreaking 2003 paper. Here’s what I’ve learned from studying his system, plus some field notes from my own collecting adventures.

Getting to Grips with Zervos’ System

Everything clicked when I read Zervos’ piece in Nomosmatika Khronika No. 22/2003. He pinned down eight main Class B types using finds from Corinth excavations—absolute gospel for collectors like us. What grabbed me was how he sorted coins by the tiny differences in halos and lettering, though he intentionally passed over some common sub-types. The real kicker? His hunch that scarcer issues might be provincial mint products, maybe even from Corinth itself. Trust me, you’ll want this paper in your reference library.

What Makes Each Type Special

Let’s walk through some standouts from Zervos’ lineup that caught my eye:

• Type B-1: Shows Christ with a cross halo featuring squares in each arm. Flip it over for small letters circling a cross-on-steps—a great starter coin for any collection.
• Type B-2: Ultra-rare, with maybe a dozen known. The halo has unique flourishes in each section that make it a trophy find. Still kicking myself for missing one on Savoca’s eBay feed that sold for peanuts—set those auction alerts!
• Type B-3: Supposedly has a pellet in the halo arms’ centers, but I’m not sold. I’ve handled coins with pellets in just one arm that look like B-4 variants. Tricky with worn patina—always demand clear photos.
• Types B-4a to B-4d: Includes B-4b’s chunky reverse lettering and my own additions—B-4c and B-4d—with dots on the square corners. B-4d’s loose dots make identification fun. These won’t empty your wallet and build nicely.
• Type B-5 and B-6: Weird and scarce; B-5 has an oval pattern while B-6 lives only in Morrisson’s footnotes. Cross-reference with Bates or Morrisson to confirm.
• Type Bb and newer finds: Likely Italian imitations. Since Zervos, I’ve logged fresh types like B-7 and B-8—proof this field keeps evolving.

Collecting Realities and Auction Tactics

Scarcity rules with Class B follis. When a B-2 or B-5 surfaces at auction, brace for fireworks—I watched prices soar at a Savoca event recently. Lost a few lots but landed a killer Zervos B-3 with crisp pellets and 9.32g weight. Grading tip: prioritize readable lettering and halo details. Dark patina hides sins, so insist on good lighting in photos. For new collectors, minor B-4 variations offer affordable entry points. Auction houses like Savoca? Competitive but worth it—stay ready to pounce when rarities appear.

My Collection’s Curious Path

My tray holds B-1, B-3, and B-4 examples, but I’m forever chasing oddballs. Like that coin I found with a dot in the cross center that matched no known type—maybe a new class? I’ve learned to photograph everything and verify with sources like the Bibliothèque nationale de France. That Savoca B-3? My current crown jewel. If you’re starting, don’t sleep on these coins—they’re tiny windows into Byzantium’s heartbeat.

Working through Anonymous Class B follis has been one wild ride—equal parts frustration and joy. Grab Zervos’ paper, then show me what you find. Let’s piece this puzzle together!