1495. JOHN V . 1341-1391. AR Basilikon (1.17 gm). Struck late Summer, 1341.
St. Demetrius  at left, standing facing,  holding cross, and Andronicus III
at right, standing facing, hand to breast / John V standing facing, holding
labarum and  globus cruciger; nimbate bust of Christ  above. DOC V 944; LPC
pg.  120, 7  (Andronicus III); SB  2474 (Andronicus  III). Toned VF,  a few
light scratches. Extremely rare. ($1000)

When DOC V was published in 1999, it recorded only four known examples of
this coin, three of which were in museums. This is the second example we
have been able to offer at auction, the previous coin being in CNG Auction
55 (13 September 2000), lot 1582.

According to DOC, this coin is the earliest issue of John V. It is the only
issue of his that does not also show his mother and regent, Anna of Savoy.
"The fact that the coin does not show the ambitious Anna...points to it
being very early, before her projects had taken shape and her determination
to run affairs had become apparent" (DOC V pg. 178).


CNG Mail bid sale #58, 18 Sept 2001, lot 1495.
 
 Lot sold for $1400.


Used by permission of CNG, www.historicalcoins.com