Preview
Creation Date
792–797
Geography
Minted in Constantinople (Istanbul, Turkiye)
Culture
Byzantine
Medium
Copper
Dimensions
17 mm
2.1 g
Credit Line
Long-term Loan from Brad Hostetler, 2025
Accession Number
2025.15
Condition
As of 3/24/2025: The obverse of this coin is cut off toward the bottom left, and the top of Constantine VI’s head is cut off on the reverse. Most details of face and costume remain legible on both sides. There is a decent amount of oxidation of the metal on both sides, resulting in lightening of the portions of the coinage not in relief.
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. 7, p.345
Description
The obverse of this follis depicts a frontal bust of Empress Irene. She wears a crown decorated with a cross, pinnacles, and pendilia (gemmed pendants.) Irene also wears the loros, a traditional imperial garment. In her right hand, Irene holds a globus cruciger, and in her left hand a cross scepter.
The reverse of this follis is divided into an upper and lower hemisphere. The upper hemisphere depicts a frontal bust of a beardless Constantine, wearing a crown decorated with a cross. He also wears a chlamys, or short cloak. In his right hand, Constantine holds a globus cruciger. There is a cross to his right. The lower hemisphere of the reverse is divided into 3 compartments by vertical lines. In the center compartment is an M, in the left compartment is an X, and in the right compartment is an N. Sonia Suben 2025