Follis of Basil

Creator

Preview

Creation Date

879–886

Geography

Minted in Constantinople

Culture

Byzantine

Medium

Bronze

Dimensions

25mm

0.28 oz (7.8 g)

Credit Line

Long-term Loan from Brad Hostetler, 2025

Accession Number

2025.5

Condition

The coin is largely intact and worn a standard amount. The reliefs are still shiny compared to the oxidized field. The edge of the coin and its rim are in good condition, with no piercings, losses or clipping and overstrike errors. Some of the inscriptions are worn or incomplete. There are minor scratches, on both the obverse and reverse sides; however they are hardly visible. There is a small portion of oxidation, most noticeably above the A, which adds small areas of green color to the coin. (December 2024)

References

Philip Grierson, 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, 1973), pp. 500–01 (DOC 12).

Description

This coin is from the reign of Basil I, who ruled from 867 to 886 during the middle Byzantine period. Basil I’s coinage strays away from the previous imagery of the Iconoclast emperors, and often includes images of Christ and other religious figures. However, this coin solely focuses on the emperor himself.

This copper alloy coin, termed a follis, was minted between the years 879 and 886 . Unlike most Byzantine coins, this coin does not display a mint location or officina; however, the mint location is confirmed as Constantinople by the information provided in the Dumbarton Oaks catalog. The coin is worn in many areas but is still in good condition. We can see the contrast of the reliefs, which have a shiny bronze appearance, against the field’s dull color, which emphasizes the coin’s artwork.

On the obverse, we see a frontal image of a male figure, the emperor Basil I, which extends from top to bottom meeting the primary inscription. He is bearded, and depicted wearing a crown with pendilia (gemmed pendants) which extends past his chin, adorned with a cross on top. He is clothed in a modified loros, which is composed of an alternating square and dot-like pattern. Basil is seated, with his left hand resting on his lap, and his right hand holding a labarum, a Christian military standard, characterized as a “cross-shaped sign” on a banner, located by the right side of his head. He is seated on a lyre-backed throne, with a wide backrest protruding on both sides, extending out towards the primary inscription. The backrest curves in, mirroring itself on both sides towards the figure.

The rim is worn, most noticeably at the bottom of the coin near the right-side corner of the throne. The primary inscription curves along the coin around Basil I and begins at the eight o’clock position and ends at the four o’clock position. The lettering is slightly blundered, but still legible. The obverse inscription translates to “the emperor Basil” in a mix of Greek and Latin letters.

On the reverse we see four lines of text, each extending from both extremes of the rim. Some of the lettering is blundered or incomplete, specifically the letters which are assumed to be S, I, L; however, the inscription is legible. The reverse inscription translates to “Basil, by God, emperor of the Romans” in a mix of Greek and Latin letters.

Emelee Newball (Florida State University, 2028) for ARH 2020 Reading and Writing Art History (fall 2024), taught by Dr. Lynn Jones.