Preview
Creation Date
1185–1195
Geography
Minted in Constantinople (Istanbul, Turkey)
Culture
Byzantine
Medium
Billon
Dimensions
27 mm
0.24 oz. (3.91 g)
Credit Line
Gift of Brad Hostetler, 2022
Accession Number
2022.57
Condition
As of 9/23/2024: This aspron trachy is concave, with a large crack on the lower right side of the obverse. The circumference of the images on both sides of the coin is worn, which results in the majority of the letter inscriptions being illegible. The tops of the Virgin and emperor's heads are similarly worn. However, the portraits remain in good condition and the details of the costume of both figures are visible, as well as the throne that the Virgin sits upon.
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. 3a, p.377
Description
The obverse of this aspron trachy depicts the Virgin Mary nimbate (haloed) seated on a throne with a back, wearing her traditional costume of tunic and maphorion (veil which covers her head and shoulders.) Against her breast, the Virgin holds a beardless, nimbate (haloed) head of Christ. Above her there is an identificatory description declaring that the Virgin is the mother of Christ.
The reverse of this coin depicts a full-length portrait of the emperor Alexius II Angelos (r.1185-1195) 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 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