Andronicus III Plaeologus
Andronicus III Paleologus
1328-1341 The story of Andronicus III is one that by this period in Byzantine history is becoming ever more familiar. The son of Michael IX and heir-apparent to the throne, his youthful years witnessed the increasing distress of his grandfather who imagined his grandson too volatile and unstable to succeed him. Andy's volatility was such that he set upon and killed his own brother in the belief that his sibling was becoming too familiar with his (Andy's) mistress. The episode so distressed his father Michael IX who was worn out from near continuous campaigning in a losing cause, he died leaving Andronicus III as the only remaining co-emperor. In spite of his flaws, Andy enjoyed a populist following that enabled him to stay in the limelight, and as his grandfather's popularity declined so did his own increase. When the elder emperor disinherited his wild grandson, Andy inspired a popular uprising against the aging emperor forcing him to reinstate Andy as his heir. As Andronicus II's grip on power declined, Andy was able to slip into the imperial palace one night, arrest Granddad and then, gently, tell him he would now be retired. The old man stepped down without so much as a huff and lived the rest of his days in a monastery. But Andronicus III, and this is the familiar part, was subject to the chaos of his times. All the problems that beset the empire during his grandfather's reign continued, and then worsened, during his. Little by little the borders of the empire were being nibbled away by the usual suspects: the Turks, the Bulgarians, renegade Greeks and the many other groups that had been historical enemies of the Byzantines. Robbing the empire's territories meant fewer taxes and manpower which translated into a weaker economy and military ability. This, of course, spawned a vicious cycle hard to break out of. Although he was to prove his father and grandfather wrong and was as gifted a leader as could be expected, the crippling situation made him, as well as his followers, irrelevant now that the empire was rapidly deteriorating. He died of a high fever on June 15, 1341.
AU Hyperpyron
SB 2466, DOC V 942 AU Hyperpyron Obv: ANNAIWENXW - Anna of Savoy and John V standing facing.
Rev: ANDRONIKOCDEPO - Andronicus kneeling left before Christ standing right; IC XC to right. 1341-1347 (Constantinople).
AR Basilikon
SB 2471, DOC V 860, Bendall 195.2, Grierson 1317 AR Basilikon Obv: IC XC across field, Christ enthroned; sigla: B B
Rev: О”HMHTPIOCANО”PNKOCGOA - St. Demetrius on left and Andronicus on right standing. (Constantinople). $500 5/21/03.
SB 2473, Grierson 1320 AR Basilikon Obv: IC XC across field, Christ standing facing on souppedion; B B, six-petaled flower and lis in field.
Rev: О”HMHTPI GOA ANО”PONI - St. Demetrius at left, standing facing, holding cross, and Andronicus III at right, standing facing, hand to breast. (Constantinople). $950 1/16/02.
SB 2475, DOC V 947 AR Basilikon Obv: Andronicus kneeling before Christ.
Rev: Anna of Savoy and John V standing facing. (Constantinople). $1,600 5/21/03.
AE Assarion
SB 2481, DOC V 908 AE Assarion (Class IV) Obv: Andronicus standing facing, holding scepter cruciger over right shoulder.
Rev: Split-ended cross, pellets in each quadrant. (Constantinople). $600 5/21/03.
SB 2487, DOC V 929, Bendall 272 AE Assarion Obv: Demetrius seated facing, holding sword.
Rev: Andronicus III standing, facing, holding fleur de lis and cross; stars in field. (Thessalonica).
SB 2497, Bendall 265 AE Assarion Obv: Paleologan monogram flanked by stars.
Rev: Andronicus on horseback right; B to left, star to right. (Constantinople). $200 5/21/03.
AE Trachy
SB 2494 AE Trachy Obv: Paleologan monogram.
Rev: AN D P NI K C - Andronicus standing facing, holding cross scepter and akakia. (Constantinople). $600 5/21/03.
