Preview
Creation Date
1143–1152
Geography
Minted in Greece (Uncertain Mint)
Culture
Byzantine
Medium
Copper
Dimensions
15 mm
0.05 oz. (1.39 g)
Credit Line
Gift of Brad Hostetler, 2022
Accession Number
2022.36
Condition
As of 9/9/2024: Some lightening of the metal on the upper reverse / lower obverse. Slight green oxidation around the bust of the emperor. All inscriptions and images are in good condition, with details of the imperial face and costume easily visible.
References
Hendy, Michael F. 1999. Catalogue of the Byzantine Coins in the Dumbarton Oaks Collection and in the Whittemore Collection, vol. 4, Alexius I to Alexius V, 1081–1204. Washington, DC: Dumbarton Oaks Research Library and Collection, no.22, p.335-337
Description
The obverse of this half-tetarteron has a monogram of the name of the Emperor Manuel I Komnenos struck upon it.
The reverse depicts a bust of the emperor, beardless. He wears a paneled (as opposed to jeweled) loros, a garment typically worn for major imperial ceremonies. In this instance, it appears in the simplified numismatic type, meaning it consists of a band that drapes over the shoulders and down the back of the emperor, rather than a garment that wraps around the figure’s entire body. Under the loros he wears in a divitision, or long tunic. Around his neck, the emperor wears a separate collar-piece, decorated with six jewels. Around the emperor’s head is the stemma, the colorful, jeweled crown which indicates the figure’s imperial status; hanging from it on both sides of the head are pendilia, or gemmed pendants. The emperor holds two important pieces of imperial regalia. In his right hand is a long-shafted labarum, or Byzantine imperial standard. His left hand holds a globus cruciger, or sphere topped by a cross representing imperial power. There is no letter inscription on the reverse.
Sonia Suben 2025