Byzantine coin from ‘Anonymous Folles’ Period, 970-1092. Obverse: Christ, standing and facing front; he has a nimbus cruciger around his head, which is a cross within a halo; in front of him, he holds the Book of Gospels, which is decorated with dots; to left, inscription says ‘[I]C’; to right, ‘[X]C’. Reverse: large jewelled cross; there is an inscription of two lines that intersects with the cross; it says ‘ICXC/NIKA’ The inscription on the obverse in translation says ‘Jesus Christ’. The inscription on the reverse in translation says ‘May Jesus Christ Conquer’.

• 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# 1825. The Sear catalogue says that this coin most likely belonged to Michael IV.

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• Type of Item coin
• Culture Byzantine
• Material bronze metal
• Measurements height 0.3 cm, diameter 2.8 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 1034 and 1041
• Ownership Date before February 2, 2015
• Acquisition Date on February 2, 2015

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• Item Classes metalwork
• Condition fair
• Accession Number 3095/1649