Preview
Creation Date
711–713
Geography
Minted in Constantinople
Culture
Byzantine
Medium
Gold (copper electrotype)
Dimensions
19 mm 0.09 oz. (2.62 g)
Credit Line
Gift of Brad Hostetler, 2022
Accession Number
2022.53
Condition
As of 11/18/24: This obverse of this coin electrotype maintains most details of the emperor's bust and costume, with wear where his hands meet his accouterments. The letter inscription is blurred and cramped, with some oxidation around the letters. The reverse of this coin has oxidized around the edges , with significant blurring of the letter inscription towards the end of the first half and start of the second (portion on the upper half of the coin).
There is an A and L stamped on either side of the cross on the reverse. This is a feature of the electrotype and not found on the original coin. It may indicate something about the production of the object.
References
Grierson, Philip. 1968. Catalogue of the Byzantine Coins in the Dumbarton Oaks Collection and in the Whittemore Collection, vol.2: Heraclius Constantine to Theodosius III (641-717). Washington, DC: Dumbarton Oaks Research Library and Collection, no.1, p.667 Wikipedia. 2024.
Description
The obverse of this coin depicts a front-facing bust of Philippicus with a close beard. He is wearing a crown with a cross circlet on the front and a loros (imperial scarf). In his right hand, Philippicus holds a globus cruciger. In his left hand, he holds a scepter topped with an eagle and a cross. The reverse of this coin has a cross potent (cross with crossed arms) on a base and three steps. This object is an electrotype of a gold solidus, meaning that it is a replica of less precious metal produced to be displayed in a museum. The actual metal of the object is bronze or copper. All information given is for the solidus type that is copied here.
For more information on electrotypes, see: "Electrotype." Wikimedia Foundation.
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