Byzantine coin from ‘Anonymous Folles’ Period, 970-1092. Obverse: bust of Christ, facing front, with a short beard; he has a nimbus cruciger around his head, which is a cross within a halo; he holds the Book of Gospels in front of him, which is decorated with dots; to left, inscription says ‘IC’. Reverse: large cross, resting on three steps; there is also an inscription of three lines which intersects with the cross; it says ‘[I]SX[S]/[b]ASIL[E]/[b]ASIL[E]’. The inscription on the reverse in translation says ‘Jesus Christ, King of Kings’.

• 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); Sear# 1823. The Sear catalogue says that this coin most likely belonged to Romanus III.

---

• Type of Item coin
• Culture Byzantine
• Material bronze metal
• Measurements height 0.2 cm, diameter 2.7 cm (overall)

---

• Previous Owner David Herman
• Received from David Herman

---

• Made in Turkey

---

• Creation Date between 1028 and 1034
• Ownership Date before February 2, 2015
• Acquisition Date on February 2, 2015

---

• Item Classes metalwork
• Condition fair
• Accession Number 3095/1632