Preview
Creation Date
1143–1180
Geography
Constantinople (Istanbul, Türkiye)
Culture
Byzantine
Medium
Copper
Dimensions
18 mm
0.11 oz. (3.27 g)
Credit Line
Gift of Brad Hostetler, 2022
Accession Number
2022.41
Condition
As of 9/2/2024: Right side of obverse and reverse is smooth from wear but retains patina. Inscriptions on the right reverse and details of figure are largely illegible. Besides this, details of costume remain visible on the reverse, but the obverse is obscure.
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.15, p.324
Description
The obverse of this tetarteron depicts a full-length figure of the Virgin Mary, haloed (or nimbate), turned towards the right in a posture of prayer known as “orans"; Her hands are outstretched to the right, with palms up. The Virgin wears a tunic and maphorion, or veil which covers her head and shoulders. To the right of the Virgin is the Manus Dei, or a motif of a disembodied hand representing that of God. Flanking the Virgin on either side, an identificatory inscription represents her title, the Mother of God.
The reverse depicts a full-length figure of a bearded Emperor Manuel I Komnenos, dressed in a jeweled (as opposed to paneled) loros, a garment typically worn for major imperial ceremonies. In this instance, it appears in the simplified numismatic type, meaning the garment 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. The emperor wears a sagion over his loros and divitision, a cloak worn at times that he left the imperial palace (i.e., to enter church on a special occasion.) 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 various components of the emperor’s elaborate costume are used to demonstrate his position as the kingdom’s foremost leader across the political, military, and religious spheres.
The emperor holds two important pieces of imperial regalia. In his right hand is a scepter cruciger, or short staff topped by a golden, jewel-encrusted cross. His left hand holds the anexikakia, a silken cylinder filled with dust. The anexikakia served as a reminder of the emperor’s mortal status, despite his immense power, and was a warning against improper pride.
Sonia Suben 2025