Byzantine Coinage Part V Follies

 

Some of the most beautiful bronze coins of the Byzantine times are the so called anonymous follies of the X-XI century, with the portrait of Jesus Christ on obverse and a large variety of reverses.

These types of coins were first studied by Wroth. In 1908, in his book Catalogue of Imperial Byzantine Coins in The British Museum, he was the first who made the description of these coins and gave an approximate chronology. After 20 years, his conclusions were revised by Bellinger, who made some small changes. In 1954, Margaret Thompson, in her volume of coin finds from the Athenian Agora, made the last final modification concerning the description and the dating of these coins.

It is very strange that starting from the reign of John I Zimisces (969-976), the bronze coins of the Byzantine Empire stopped bearing the head of the emperor. Yet, an author named Scylitzes left us the formal testimony that John issued bronze coins with the head of the Saviour and a religious inscription in Latin that meant Jesus Christ King of Kings (or, by another translation, Emperor of Emperors).

Coins of this type were minted in the next period of time, until 1118. Moreover, until the reign of Constantine X Ducas (1059-1067), the emperor’s head didn’t appeared on the coins.

Wroth divided the coins in ten classes, numbered from I to X. Bellinger and Thompson used letters from A to L and numbers for the subclasses.

Using the typology of M. Thompson these coins can be divided as follows:

 

Class A 1

Obv. Head of Christ, letters IC- XC on both sides. +„MANOVHΛ right and left.

Rv. Legend on 4 lines: IhSЧS/ XRISTЧS/ bASILEЧ/ bASILE. Floral ornaments all around.

Small dimensions, usually overstruck on coins of Nicephorus II Phocas (963-969) and Constantine VII Porphyrogenitus (913-959).

The dating of these coins is assured by the literary information. They were probably minted starting from the reign of John I Zimiskes and at the beginning of the combined reign of Basil II and Constantine VIII (976-1025). The period of time of this class is probably 969 and 989, year when Bardas Phocas the usurper was killed by Basil II.

The overstruck coins are usually common.

 

Class A 2

It is similar to A 1 as far as its description is concerned; however, it can be distinguished by its larger size.

The increase of weight suggests a period of prosperity. So the dating can be traced back from 989 to the death of Basil II in 1025, a period of great power for the empire. It is possible that this type continued to be minted after 1025, until 1028, during the sole reign of Constantine VIII.

These coins are not overstruck on other coins.

 

Class A 3

Bellinger devides this Class A in 3 subtypes. A 1 small flans, A 2 intermediary flans and A 3 large flans. Thompson proves that the intermediary flans are not a subtype but a variation of the large and small types. So she uses the A 1 name for the small ones and A 2 for large ones.

 

Class B

Obv. Christ bust. IC-XC on sides. +„MANOVHΛ on right and left.

Rv. Cross on steps. Inscription in angles of the cross: IC-XC// bAS-ILE/bAS/ILE.

This class was minted during the reign of Roman III Argyrus (1028-1034). The date is assured by its overstruck coins on Class A 1 and Class A 2 coins.

These overstruck coins are common.

 

Class C

Obv. Christ Figure, about 1/3 of the body. IC-XC on sides.

Rv. Cross made from pearls. Inscription in angles : IC-XC//NI-KA

These coins are dated during the reign of Michael IV the Paphlagonian (1034-1041).

These coins are overstruck on Class A 2 and sometimes Class B.

 

Class D

Obv. Christ on throne with back, blesses with his right hand. IC-XC.

Rv. Inscription in 3 lines: ISXS/ bASILE/bASIL. Above Cross.

This coin is minted during the reign of Constantine IX Monomachus (1042-1055). These coins were overstruck on class C and sometimes class B and Class A 2.

 

Class E

Obv. Christ bust. IC-XC.

Rv. Inscription in 3 lines: ISXS/ bASILE/bASILE. Above Cross. (as class D)

This coin was minted during the reign of Isaac I Comnenus (1057-1059). Overstruck coins are known on class D but still scarce.

 

Class F

Obv. Christ on throne without back, blessing with right hand. IC-XC.

Rv. Inscription in 3 lines: ISXS/ bASILE/bASILE. Above Cross.

This coin is dated 1059-1067. It is Wroth Class V.

These coins were minted during the reign of Constantine X Ducas (1059-1067). These coins are overstruck on Class E, C and B and sometimes on Constantine X coins.

 

Class G

Obv. Bust of Christ. IC-XC

Rv. Bust of the Virgin. MT-ΘV

Minted during the reign of Romanus IV Diogenes (1067-1071). Overstruck on previous issues and issues of Romanus IV.

 

Class H

Obv. Bust of Christ IC-XC

Rv. Patriarchal cross.

Struck during the reign of Michael VII Ducas (1071-1079).

 

Class I

Obv. Similar to class H.

Rv. Latin Cross.

Struck during the reign of Nicephoros III Botaniates (1078-1081).

 

Class J

Obv. Similar to class H and G but with cross behind head.

Rv. Latin cross on crescent.

Struck from 1081 to 1118, during the reign of Alexius I Comnenus.

 

Class K

Obv. Christ bust. IC-XC.

Rv. Half-length figure of Virgin.

Minted at the same time as class J.

 

Class L

Obv. Similar.

Rv. Small cross pattee.

Minted at the same time as class J and K.

 

Hybrid type.

Rv of class K

Rv of class J

This coin was probably minted during 1081-1118 and it is very rare.

 

It must be said that the date of this coin is still unknown. We gave Margaret Thompson dates, but since then new scientific research papers appeared (Grierson, C. Morrison, Sear and so on).

These coins have a particular appearance and usually are the first ones in a collection of Byzantine coins. People like them so much that these coins are the first from their future collection.

Vasilita Stefan

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Last Update: 26 Jun 2009