Object Description
A very fine Byzantine bronze follis from Constantinople mint. The coin’s obverse depicts the bust of Christ Pantokrator wearing a tunic and mantle, raising the right hand in benediction and holding the Book of Gospels in His left. A nimbate cross is set behind his head, with two dots decorating each limb. Most of the original inscription reading ✠ ЄMMA-NOVHΛ is still visible around the top edge of the coin. The letters IC and XC are set in the field at either side of the bust to indicate the mint. The reverse reads the legend ✠ IҺSЧS XRISTЧS ЬASILЄЧ ЬASILЄ, arranged in four lines and adorned by a floral motif at the top and at the base. Written in Roman alphabet, the Greek inscription translates as ‘Jesus Christ, King of Kings’.
Date: AD 976-1028
Period: Time of Basil II and Constantine VIII