Byzantine coin of Isaac II, 1185-1195. Obverse: bust of the Virgin Mary, facing front; 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; on her breast, there is a small head of Christ as an infant; she raises her hands in prayer; to left, inscription says ‘MP’; to right, ‘ΘV’. Reverse: bust of Isaac II, facing front; he wears a chlamys; to left, he holds a cruciform sceptre; to right, he holds an akakia, which is a silk roll containing dust that symbolizes mortality; to upper right, there is a ‘Manus Dei’, which is a representation of the hand of God; to left, inscription is in four lines, and says ‘IC/AA/N/IC’; to right, it says ‘IC’. The inscription on the obverse in translation says ‘Mother of God’.

• History Of Use

  “Tetarteron” (denomination); Sear# 2004.

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• Type of Item coin
• Culture Byzantine
• Material bronze metal
• Measurements height 0.1 cm, diameter 1.8 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 1185 and 1195
• Ownership Date before February 2, 2015
• Acquisition Date on February 2, 2015

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• Item Classes metalwork
• Condition good
• Accession Number 3095/1559