Preview
Creation Date
870–879
Geography
Minted in Constantinople
Culture
Byzantine
Medium
Copper alloy
Dimensions
29 mm
8.88 g
Credit Line
Long-term Loan from Brad Hostetler, 2025
Accession Number
2025.13
Condition
As of 4/10/2025: The coin is in relatively good condition, with most details of the inscription on both sides preserved. There is a small crack in the upper left edge, and the obverse is struck off-center. The text on the obverse remains mostly legible, as do the costumes of the figure. There is some wear on the upper area of the loros of Basil I. The faces of the 3 obverse figures are also mostly worn away. The reverse of this coin has a roughly worn upper edge, with the top two lines of the letter inscription somewhat worn away. This is true of the letters on the left edge of the reverse, generally.
References
Grierson, Philip. 1973. 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, no. 10c, p.498
Description
The obverse of this follis depicts three half-figures facing frontally, with Basil I in the center. On the left smaller is Leo, and on the right smaller is Constantine. Basil I is bearded and wears a crown decorated with a cross and a loros, or traditional imperial garment. Leo and Constantine are both beardless, and each wear a chlamys (short tunic) and crown decorated with a cross.
The reverse of this follis has a six-line Greek inscription identifying the emperors on the obverse. There is a cross below the top 5 lines. Sonia Suben 2025