Byzantine coin of Constantine VII, 913-959. Obverse: large cross crosslet resting on three steps; beneath the steps, there is a pellet; in centre of cross, there is an ‘X’; to left, inscription says ‘InSϤSXRI’; to right, ‘STϤSnICA’; the border is composed of three parallel lines of dots, with 16 pellets spaced evenly within the border. Reverse: there is an inscription of five lines, which begins with a cross, and says ‘COnST’T/[Π]O[RFVR]OS’/CE[ROM]AnO/En[XWE]VSEb’/b’RWMEOn’. The inscription on the obverse in translation says ‘May Jesus Christ Conquer’. The inscription on the reverse in translation says ‘Constantine, Porphyrogenitus, and Romanus, by the Grace of God, Kings of the Romans.’ 'Porphyrogenitus' is the Latin word for ‘born in the purple’ and indicates a son or daughter who was born while their parent was a Byzantine Emperor. It refers to the fact that the colour purple was most often worn by royalty due to the expense of the dyes.

• History Of Use

  “Miliaresion” (denomination); DO# 21; Sear# 1757.

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• Type of Item coin
• Culture Byzantine
• Material silver metal
• Measurements height 0.1 cm, diameter 2.3 cm (overall)

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• Previous Owner David Herman
• Received from David Herman

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• Made in Istanbul, Constantinopolis

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• Creation Date between 949 and 959
• Ownership Date before February 2, 2015
• Acquisition Date on February 2, 2015

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• Item Classes metalwork
• Condition good
• Accession Number 3095/1406