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; to left, inscription says ‘IC’. Reverse: bust of the Virgin Mary, facing front; she has a halo; she wears a pallium and a maphorium, which is a type of medieval wimple worn by women; she raises her hands on either side of her in prayer; to left, inscription says ‘MP’; to right, ‘Θ[V]’. The inscription on the reverse in translation says ‘Mother of God’.

• 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# 1867. The Sear catalogue suggests that this coin most likely belonged to Romanus 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 1068 and 1071
• Ownership Date before February 2, 2015
• Acquisition Date on February 2, 2015

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• Item Classes metalwork
• Condition fair
• Accession Number 3095/1664