Byzantine Coins

Which coins are considered Byzantine coins?

Byzantine coins refer to the coins minted by the Byzantine Empire, which existed from the 4th century AD until the fall of Constantinople in 1453 AD. Geographically, the Byzantine Empire encompassed a wide region, including the Balkans, Anatolia, the Eastern Mediterranean, and parts of North Africa. The early Byzantine coins were largely a continuation of the Roman coinage traditions, with gold solidi and copper nummi being the primary denominations. In the later centuries, Byzantine coinage faced challenges due to political and economic instability, resulting in debasement and fluctuations in denominations. Nonetheless, they continued to be minted and circulated until the fall of Constantinople.

When and where did the first Byzantine coins appear?

The first Byzantine coins were minted under Anastasius I (491-518), who reformed the bronze coinage and distanced himself from the earlier Roman coinage. These coins were based on the Roman currency system and featured the image of the reigning emperor on the obverse and various religious or symbolic motifs on the reverse. They were primarily made of gold and bronze, with denominations such as the solidus and the nummus. It is common for bronze coins to bear marks of denomination written in Greek.

What were Byzantine coins like?

Byzantine coins featured the portraits of reigning emperors, serving as a form of propaganda. Typically, they depicted the person facing forward, holding a cross, sword, or sceptre. Moreover, coins included legends written in Latin and eventually solely in Greek from the 7th century CE. Over time, Christ became a regular figure on the obverse of coins, with inscriptions such as "Jesus Christ, King of those who rule." The reverse sides often showed the emperor being crowned by Christ, the Virgin Mary, or a specific saint, reinforcing the idea of their divine authority.

What was the Byzantine coin system like?

Byzantine coins had their value determined by the weight and purity of the metal used. The primary coin of the Byzantine Empire for 700 years was the solid gold nomisma or solidus, which was introduced by Emperor Constantine I in 312 CE. The value of other coins, made of gold, silver, or copper, was measured against this coin. The gold semissis was half a nomisma, while three gold tremissis coins equaled one nomisma. The miliaresion was the most common silver coin, with twelve of them worth one nomisma. The large follis, introduced by Anastasios I, was the primary copper coin used for small transactions. In 1092 CE, Emperor Alexios I Komnenos introduced the hyperpyron, made from electrum, as a new standard coin. This remained in use until the fall of the Byzantine Empire in the 15th century.

What are the most valuable Byzantine coins?

Some of the most valuable Byzantine coins are the gold solidi or nomismata minted during the reigns of influential emperors. Among them are the solidi of Emperor Justinian I, known for their exceptional craftsmanship and historical significance. Another highly sought-after coin is the gold histamenon nomisma of Emperor Constantine X, which features an image of Christ enthroned. The gold hyperpyron coins minted during the Komnenian dynasty, particularly those of Emperor Manuel I, are also prized by collectors. Still, it is important to note that factors such as rarity, historical context, and overall condition of coins greatly influence their value in the numismatic market.

Which Byzantine coins can you purchase at VCoins?

At VCoins, we offer a wide collection of ancient Byzantine coins, ranging from the monetary reform of Anastasius in 491 AD to Constantine XI in 1453 AD. The coins are grouped by period, with chronological subcategories, beginning with Anastasius and including the Justinian Dynasty, Heraclean Dynasty, Isaurian Dynasty, Macedonian Dynasty, Comnen Dynasty, Dynasty of the Angeli, Late Crusader Rule, Empire of Nicaea, Empire of Thessalonica, Despotate of Epirus, the Restored Empire and the Empire of Trebizond.

Byzantine coins from the Justinian dynasty

During the Justinian Dynasty, which started with Justin I's rise to power in 518 AD, the empire experienced its golden age. Under the reign of Emperor Justinian I, in particular, the Byzantine Empire reached its greatest territorial expansion since the decline of its Western counterpart. Justinian I's campaigns led to the reconquest of regions such as North Africa, southern Illyria, southern Spain, and Italy. The Justinian Dynasty came to an end in 602 with the deposition of Maurice and the subsequent rise of Phocas. The coins minted during this period typically featured the portrait of Justinian I on the obverse. The reverse displayed Christian imagery, such as a cross or a depiction of the emperor in a religious context. This reflected the influence of Christianity and the emperor's role as God's representative on earth.

Byzantine coins from the Macedonian dynasty

The Macedonian Dynasty, ruling from 867 to 1056, succeeded the Amorian dynasty and presided over a significant period in the Byzantine Empire's history. The empire experienced remarkable territorial expansion since the Muslim conquests, and this era marked the onset of the Macedonian Renaissance, characterized by advancements in literature, arts, and culture. The dynasty derived its name from Basil I the Macedonian, the founder who originated from the region of Macedonia, then a part of Bulgaria. The coins of the Macedonian Dynasty often featured the bust of the reigning emperor on the obverse, accompanied by religious symbols such as the cross or the Christogram. Emperors such as Basil I, Leo VI, and Constantine VII left a lasting numismatic legacy with their coinage.

Byzantine coins from the Comnen dynasty

The Comnen Dynasty, which reigned over the Byzantine Empire from 1081 to 1185, was a period of political and military resurgence. The dynasty was established by Alexios I Komnenos and witnessed a series of competent rulers who sought to restore the empire's strength and prestige. Byzantine coins during the Comnen Dynasty continued to reflect imperial authority and religious symbolism. They often featured portraits of the ruling emperors, sometimes accompanied by their spouses or co-emperors. Religious motifs, such as the image of Christ or the Virgin Mary, were also commonly depicted.

Empire of Nicaea

The Empire of Nicaea, one of the Byzantine Greek successor states, emerged after the Fourth Crusade's Sack of Constantinople in 1204. It was founded by the aristocracy who fled the city and lasted from 1204 to 1261. Alongside other Byzantine rump states, it represented the eastern half of the Roman Empire that survived into the medieval period. The coins of this period featured the image of the reigning emperor and their designs were influenced by both Byzantine and Western European traditions, showcasing a blend of artistic styles. The denominations varied, ranging from gold hyperpyra to silver trachy and billon aspron trachy. Inscriptions on the coins included the emperor's name and sometimes religious invocations. The Empire of Nicaea's coinage served as a representation of its defiance against Latin rule and its aspirations to restore the Empire to its former glory.

Byzantine coins from the Empire of Trebizond

The Empire of Trebizond was one of the successor states of the Byzantine Empire. It existed from the 13th to the 15th century and encompassed the north-eastern corner of Anatolia and southern Crimea. Founded in 1204 by Alexios Komnenos with the support of Georgian queen Tamar, it emerged after the Fourth Crusade and the sack of Constantinople. Although Trebizond claimed to be part of the Roman Empire, it was not recognized as such by the Byzantine rulers. Trebizond eventually fell to the Ottoman Empire in 1461, marking the end of its reign among the Byzantine successor states. The coinage of the Empire of Trebizond followed the Byzantine tradition, featuring images of emperors, religious symbols, and inscriptions in Greek.