Byzantine coin of Basil II, 976-1025. Obverse: large cross crosslet resting on four steps; in centre of cross, there is an ‘X’; to left, there is a small bust of Basil II, wearing a crown with cross and a loros, an embroidered and jewelled scarf; to right, there is a small bust of Constantine VII, Basil II’s brother, who wears a crown with cross and a chlamys; to left, inscription says ‘[EnT]OVTWnICAT’; to right, ‘bASILEICCWnST’. Reverse: there is an inscription of five lines, which begins with a cross, and says ‘bASIL/CCWnSTAn/ΠORFVROS /ΠISTOIbAS/RWMAIW’; above and beneath inscription , there is a cross made up of small dots. The inscription on the obverse in translation says ‘May Basil and Constantine Conquer’. The inscription on the reverse in translation says ‘Basil and Constantine, Porphyrogenitus, faithful believers, 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# 17; Sear# 1810.

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• Type of Item coin
• Culture Byzantine
• Material silver metal
• Measurements height 0.1 cm, diameter 2.2 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 977 and 989
• Ownership Date before February 2, 2015
• Acquisition Date on February 2, 2015

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• Item Classes metalwork
• Condition fair
• Accession Number 3095/1440