Byzantine coin made of electrum, of Andronicus II, 1282-1328. Obverse: bust of the Virgin Mary, facing front; she raises her hands on either side of her in prayer; she is surrounded by three groups of towers and city walls; to left, inscription says ‘CK’; to right, ‘ΠN’. Reverse: three figures; to left, Andronicus II, kneeling; to right, Michael IX, his son and co-emperor, kneeling; in the middle, Christ, standing and facing front, crowning both emperors; Andronicus II and Michael IX each wear a loros, an embroidered and jewelled scarf; Christ has a nimbus cruciger around his head, which is a cross within a halo; to left of nimbus cruciger, it says ‘IC’; to right, ‘XC’. The inscription on the reverse in translation says ‘Jesus Christ’. Coin is concave and is made of electrum.

• History Of Use

  “Hyperpyron” (denomination); Sear# 2396.

• Narrative

  This coin has been confirmed by XRF spectrum analysis to be made of electrum, which is a naturally occurring alloy of gold, silver, and copper, used in the ancient world for coins and jewelry.

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• Type of Item coin
• Culture Byzantine
• Material gold alloy metal
• Measurements height 0.3 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 between 1295 and 1320
• Ownership Date before February 2, 2015
• Acquisition Date on February 2, 2015

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• Item Classes metalwork
• Condition good
• Accession Number 3095/1633