Byzantine Empire, Manuel I Comnenus, 8 April 1143 - 24 September 1180 A.D.
BZ116891. Bronze tetarteron, DOC IV-1 15; Hendy pl. 17, 7; Wroth BMC 59; Morrisson BnF 61/X/AE/11; Ratto 2148; Sommer 61.13; SBCV 1968, F, green patina, rev. slightly off center, 3.698g, 21.0mm, 180o, uncertain Greek mint, the Theotokos (Virgin Mary) standing right, raising both hands, being blessed by manus Dei (hand of god) to upper right, MP - ΘV (Greek abbreviation: Μητηρ Θεου; - Mother of God)flanking across field; reverse MANVHΛ ΔECΠOTHC, emperor standing facing, wearing crown, divitision and chlamys, long cross in right hand, akakia in left hand
Gibbons Decline & Fall says of Manuel I, 'The first in the charge, the last in the retreat, his friends and his enemies alike trembled, the former for his safety, and the latter for their own.'