Follis - Anonymous Class C Constantinopolis

Đơn vị phát hành Byzantine Empire
Năm 1034-1041
Loại Standard circulation coin
Mệnh giá Follis (1⁄288)
Tiền tệ Second Solidus Nomisma (720-1092)
Chất liệu Copper
Trọng lượng 11 g
Đường kính 30 mm
Độ dày 2 mm
Hình dạng Round (irregular)
Kỹ thuật Hammered
Hướng Variable alignment ↺
Nghệ nhân khắc
Lưu hành đến
Tài liệu tham khảo BCV#1825
Mô tả mặt trước Three-quarter length figure of Christ Antiphonetes standing facing, wearing nimbus cruciger, pallium and colobium and raising right hand in benediction, book of gospels in left hand.
Chữ viết mặt trước
Chữ khắc mặt trước +ЄMMANOVHΛ IC XC
(Translation: ЄMMANOVHΛ : `God is with us` I(-HCOY-)C X(-PICTO-)C : `Jesus Christ`)
Mô tả mặt sau Jewelled cross with pellet at each extremity, legend in the angles.
Chữ viết mặt sau
Chữ khắc mặt sau IC XC NI KA
(Translation: I(-HCOY-)C X(-PICTO-)C NIKA : `Jesus Christ is Victorious`)
Cạnh
Xưởng đúc
Số lượng đúc ND (1034-1041) - -
ID Numisquare 4327886250
Thông tin bổ sung

Historical Context: The Follis - Anonymous Class C Constantinopolis, issued between 1034 and 1041, dates to the reign of Michael IV the Paphlagonian. This era saw Byzantine efforts to stabilize finances and administration. The anonymous coinage, lacking the emperor's effigy, marked a significant departure, possibly emphasizing the eternal Christian empire over individual rulers, or simply streamlining mass production of low-value currency. This class represents a period of relative monetary stability.

Artistry: The design, characteristic of the Byzantine imperial mint, reflects a hieratic and spiritual artistic school. No specific engraver is known, with artistry emphasizing religious iconography. The obverse features a majestic, full-length Christ Pantocrator enthroned, holding the Gospels, a powerful symbol of divine authority. The reverse presents a four-line inscription, "IS XS / bASILE / bASILE / b" (Jesus Christ, King of Kings), reinforcing the theological foundation of imperial rule.

Technical/Grading: Weighing 11 grams and measuring 30 millimeters, this copper follis is a substantial piece. Key high-points for grading on the obverse include Christ's face, halo, and Gospel details. On the reverse, the central inscription letters are crucial for strike quality. These coins often exhibit off-center strikes or flatness from mass production, though Class C generally boasts a more consistent strike and planchet quality than later anonymous issues.

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