My Realistic Ancient Collecting Holy Grails: A Numismatist’s Perspective
June 25, 2025
Lately, I’ve been spending a lot of time with Byzantine coins, and Romanus III’s Anonymous Class B folles have really grabbed me. While most collectors talk about Class A2 and A3 decorations, Class B doesn’t get nearly enough attention. After going through Orestes H. Zervos’ important 2003 paper in Nomosmatika Khronika, I’ve put together some observations that might help fellow collectors.
Making Sense of Zervos’ System
Zervos’ study gives us a solid starting point, outlining eight main types based on decorations found at sites like Corinth. Interestingly, he left out certain sub-types on purpose, which keeps things intriguing. His approach tracks differences in the halo, lettering, and other features, with each type possibly pointing to different mints, maybe even provincial ones. I always double-check with Bates and Morrisson for confirmation—you can find Zervos’ paper here if you’re curious.
- Type B-1: Shows IC-XC beside Christ with a cross halo featuring squares in each arm; flip side has IS-XS ЬAS-ILЄ in small letters circling a cross on steps.
- Type B-2: Looks like B-1 but with extra details in the halo; only six or so exist—a true rarity.
- Type B-3: Noted for a dot in each halo arm—though I’m not fully convinced since I’ve seen coins with dots on just one arm, which might be errors.
- Type B-4a to B-4d: These show variations like squares with corner dots. B-4d’s loose dots can trip you up without a clear specimen.
- Type B-5: Sports an oval pattern in the halo; I’ve never seen one outside Zervos’ notes—strange and scarce!
- Type B-6: No pictures exist, just Morrisson’s records; I’m still digging through archives like the Bibliothèque nationale for clues.
- Type Bb: Considered a Southern Italian copy, showing how imitations complicate things.
Collectors have since added types like B-7 and B-8, plus odd legend versions like B-4e—proof that this system keeps growing.
Scarcity and What It Means for Collectors
From what I’ve seen, scarcity drives both interest and prices. Take B-2 and B-3—they’re tough finds. I still regret missing a B-2 that went for peanuts in a Savoca eBay auction! Bidding wars can get intense too; I watched B-3 examples climb surprisingly high recently. Common variations might be wallet-friendly, but true rarities like B-5 fetch strong money. Always examine patina in photos—some dark ones I’ve handled hide details, making attribution tricky.
Chasing These Coins: My Story
My collection journey’s had highs and lows. I scored a Zervos B-3 from Savoca—29mm, 9.32g, with a crisp central dot—it’s the finest I’ve found. But I’ve also got a ‘plain’ B-4a with nice sleeve patterns, though I wonder if that raised hand is really drapery. Recording variations matters; I’ve shot coins with odd dots or rectangles in the halo that don’t match known types. For scarce pieces, patience pays off—I’m building a reference file and wish I had sharper images to clear up doubts.
Handy Hints for Your Hunt
If you’re after Class B folles, here’s what I’ve learned:
- Spot the differences: Study the halo and lettering closely—minor shifts define types. Use magnification on dark-patina coins, and tweak photos to reveal hidden traits.
- Grading and ID: Top-condition pieces are scarce; aim for readable text and minimal wear. Compare against Zervos, Bates, and Morrisson to avoid mistaking copies.
- Auctions: Watch Savoca sales, but bid smart—harder types like B-3 can jump in price. Common varieties are great starter pieces.
- Sharing knowledge: Swap finds with others; I’m eager to see new types and team up to fill gaps in our understanding.
Tracking down these folles has been a blast, mixing history with the excitement of discovery. Whether you’re hunting trophies or just starting, Class B always has something new—happy hunting!
