Byzantine coin from ‘Anonymous Folles’ Period, 970-1092. (Likely Nicephorus III, 1078-1081.) Obverse: bust of Christ, facing front; he has a nimbus cruciger around his head, which is a cross within a halo; he raises his right hand in benediction; in his left hand, he holds the Book of Gospels, which is decorated with dots; to left, inscription says ‘IC’; to right, ‘XC’. Reverse: large cross; in the middle, there is an ‘X’; on each of the four ends, there is one large pellet and two small pellets; to lower left and lower right of cross, there are floral ornaments; to upper left and upper right of cross, there are crescents. The inscription on the reverse in translation says ‘Jesus Christ’.

• Narrative

  The ‘Anonymous Folles’ are a group of coins spanning just over a century. They often have a depiction of Christ in place of any images or inscriptions which would indicate the emperor to whose reign they belong, thus rendering them anonymous.

• History Of Use

  "Follis" (denomination); DO# Class I; Sear# 1889. According to the Sear catalogue, this coin most likely belonged to Nicephorus III, 1078-1081.

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• Type of Item coin
• Culture Byzantine
• Material bronze metal
• Measurements height 0.1 cm, diameter 2.4 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 before 1080
• Ownership Date before February 2, 2015
• Acquisition Date on February 2, 2015

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• Item Classes metalwork
• Condition good
• Accession Number 3095/1456