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Basilikon - Andronicus II / Michael IX
| Issuer | Byzantine Empire |
|---|---|
| Year | 1295-1320 |
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| Composition | Silver |
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| Obverse description | Log in to see details |
|---|---|
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| Obverse lettering | KVPIЄ BOHΘЄI |
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| Reverse script | Greek, Latin |
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| Additional information |
The basilikon was introduced by Andronicus II around 1295 as a direct response to the commercial dominance of the Venetian ducat and the Genoese grosso in Byzantine trading ports — foreign silver had effectively displaced native coinage in large transactions. It was modeled closely on the Venetian grosso in both weight standard and intended function, an acknowledgment that Byzantium's own monetary credibility had collapsed badly enough to require borrowing a rival's format.
The joint attribution to Michael IX reflects his co-emperorship from 1294, a co-regency arrangement that became increasingly fractious before Michael's death in 1320, reportedly hastened by grief following the murder of his son Andronicus's companion.