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 wears a pallium, which is a woolen cloak; he holds the Book of Gospels in front of him, which is decorated with dots; to left, inscription says ‘I’; there is a second inscription to the left, which begins with a cross and says ‘E’; to right, ‘V’. Reverse: large cross, resting on three steps; there is also an inscription of three lines which intersects with the cross; it says ‘ISXS/bASILE/bASILE’. The inscription on the reverse in translation says ‘Jesus Christ, King of Kings’.

• History Of Use

  "Follis" (denomination); Sear# 1823. The Sear catalogue says that this coin most likely belonged to Romanus III.

• 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.

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• Type of Item coin
• Culture Byzantine
• Material bronze metal
• Measurements height 0.3 cm, diameter 3.2 cm (overall)

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• Previous Owner David Herman
• Received from David Herman

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• Made in Turkey

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

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• Item Classes metalwork
• Condition fair
• Accession Number 3095/1637