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40 Nummi - Anastasius I Dicorus Constantinopolis, Type ✶M☾, Large Module
| Issuer | Byzantine Empire |
|---|---|
| Year | 498-518 |
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| Value | Log in to see details |
| Currency | First Solidus Nomisma (498-720) |
| Composition | Log in to see details |
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| Obverse description | Log in to see details |
|---|---|
| Obverse script | Latin |
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| Reverse lettering | ☩ ✶M☾ ϵ CON (Translation: M : `40` nummi (= 1 follis). ϵ : `5th` officina. CON(stantinopolis) : Constantinopolis.) |
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| Additional information |
Anastasius I introduced the follis in 498 AD as the centerpiece of his currency reform — the most significant restructuring of Byzantine bronze coinage since the late Roman period. Prior to this reform, the copper fraction had deteriorated to near-worthless nummi so tiny they were largely impractical for daily commerce. The new large-module 40-nummi piece gave the market a usable denomination again.
Constantinople issues from the earliest phase of the reform are distinguished by their relatively crude fabric, a product of the mint scaling up production rapidly. The crescent and star officina marks were introduced to track output across multiple workshops simultaneously.