Preview
Creation Date
830-842 CE
Geography
Minted in Constantinople (Istanbul, Türkiye)
Culture
Byzantine
Medium
Copper
Dimensions
24 mm
0.22 oz. (6.14 g)
Credit Line
Gift of Brad Hostetler, 2022
Accession Number
2022.25
Condition
As of 9/13/2024: Coin exhibits significant oxidation on both sides, with large areas visible wear the copper has turned to green. However, the portrait of the emperor is largely visible and features of face and costume are discernible. The inscription on the obverse is difficult to read due to proximity to worn edges. The inscription on the reverse is worn away towards the top from cleaning or handling, but is legible on the remainder of the coin.
References
Grierson, Philip. 1973. Catalogue of the Byzantine Coins in the Dumbarton Oaks Collection and in the Whittemore Collection, vol. 3, Leo III to Nicephorus III, 717-1081. Washington, DC: Dumbarton Oaks Research Library and Collection, no. 15d, p.438
Description
The obverse of the follis depicts a half-length, forward-facing figure of Theophilus (r. 829-842). The emperor is bearded and wears a loros, or imperial decorated scarf that wraps around the torso. He also wears a tufa on his head, or a hybrid of the imperial crown and a military helmet that is decorated with plumes. The occurrence of the tufa on Byzantine coinage is very rare following the reign of Theophilus. In his right hand, the emperor holds a labarum (Byzantine military standard consisting of a flag on a staff), which is decorated with a cross. In his left hand, the emperor holds a globus cruciger.
The reverse of the coin in inscribed with the Greek words "Theophilus Augustus," followed by an epithet emphasizing his military victories. The inscription is arranged in 4 lines and preceded by a cross in the first line.
Sonia Suben 2025