Byzantine coin of Manuel I, 1143-1180. Obverse: the Virgin Mary, standing and facing right; she has a halo; she wears a pallium, which is a woolen cloak, and a maphorium, which is a type of medieval wimple worn by women; she raises her hands towards the ‘Manus Dei’ in the top right corner, which is a representation of the hand of God; to left, inscription says ‘MP’; to right, ‘Θ[V]’. Reverse: bust of Manuel I, standing and facing front; he wears a loros, an embroidered and jewelled scarf, and a divitision, a military tunic; to left, he holds a cruciform sceptre; to right, he holds an akakia, which is a silk roll containing dust that symbolizes mortality; to left, inscription says ‘MANɤHΛ’. The inscription on the obverse in translation says ‘Mother of God’. Coin is concave.

• History Of Use

  “Tetarteron” (denomination); Sear# 1968.

---

• Type of Item coin
• Culture Byzantine
• Material bronze metal
• Measurements height 0.2 cm, diameter 1.8 cm (overall)

---

• Previous Owner David Herman
• Received from David Herman

---

• Made in Istanbul, Constantinopolis

---

• Creation Date between 1143 and 1180
• Ownership Date before February 2, 2015
• Acquisition Date on February 2, 2015

---

• Item Classes metalwork
• Condition fair
• Accession Number 3095/1527