r o m a i o n  e m p i r e

Renamed Constantinople in 330 AD, the ancient city of Byzantion gave its name to a combined Greek and Roman culture that lasted for almost 1000 years. The 'Byzantines' never referred to each other as such; they called themselves Romaioi, the Greek word for Roman. In 1453 AD, the Ottoman Turks overran Constantinople, putting an end to the Romaioi and the Middle Ages.

Special thanks to Dane Kurth for help with attributions.


r e f e r e n c e s


Glossary

Akakia: scroll
Chlamys: imperial garment fastened at right shoulder; cloak
Cuirass: a piece of armor for protecting the breast and back
Diadem: jeweled headband
Globus Cruciger: globe surmounted by a cross
Labarum: military standard bearing Chi-Rho [ΧΡ] symbol
Loros: jeweled garment
Mappa: scroll; similar to Akakia
Nimbus: halo
Orans: 'praying'
Pendilia: pendants hanging from either side of a crown
Potent Cross: cross with a bar at the end of each arm


Dates

I = year one
II = year two
III = year three
IIII = year four
μ = year five
ς or uI = year six
ςI or uII = year seven
ςII or uIII = year eight
ςIII or uIIII = year nine
x = year ten

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Imperial Byzantine Coinage

Anastasius I
April 11, 491 - July 1, 518


Anastasius I (491 - 518 AD)
AE Follis
Mint: Constantinople
Officinae: Ε
SBC 19
33 mm.
16.04 gm.
Die position=7h
Obverse: Bust right.
Reverse: Large 'M'; ✸ to either side.


Anastasius I (491 - 518 AD)
AE Follis
Mint: Constantinople
Officinae: Ε
SBC 19v.
33 mm.
16.71 gm.
Die position=6h
Obverse: Bust right. D N ANASTASIVS PP AVG
Reverse: Large 'M'; ✸ to either side.
Note: Overstruck on earlier issue (?)


Anastasius I (491 - 518 AD)
AE Half Follis [small module]
Mint: Constantinople
Officinae: Α
SBC 24
18 mm.
4.32 gm.
Die position=8h
Obverse: Bust right. D N ANASTASIVS PP AVG
Reverse: Large 'K'; ✶ above and below.


Anastasius I (491 - 518 AD)
AE Pentanummium
Mint: Constantinople
SBC 29v.
12 x 11 mm.
2.34 gm.
Die position=12h
Obverse: Bust right.
Reverse: Large 'E'.


Justin I
July 10, 518 - August 1, 527


Justin I (518 - 527 AD)
AE Pentanummium
Mint: Constantinople
SBC 75
13 mm.
2.29 gm.
Die position=6h
Obverse: Bust right.
Reverse: ☧


Justin I (518 - 527 AD)
AE Pentanummium
Mint: Antioch
SBC 111
14 x 12 mm.
1.99 gm.
Die position=12h
Obverse: Bust right.
Reverse: Tyche of Antioch seated; backwards 'E'.


Justin I and Justinian I
April 4, 527 - August 1, 527


Justin I and Justinian I (527 AD)
AE Follis
Mint: Constantinople
Officinae: Α (?)
SBC 125
29 mm.
17.26 gm.
Die position=2h
Obverse: Bust right; star on shoulder.
Reverse: Large 'M' between star and cross; cross above.


Justinian I
August 1, 527 - November 14, 565


Justinian I (527 - 565 AD)
AE Follis
Mint: Constantinople
Officinae: Β
SBC 163
42 mm.
22.14 gm.
Die position=7h
Obverse: Facing bust.
Reverse: Large 'M'; ☩ above. Year XII = 12 = 538/9 CE.


Justinian I (527 - 565 AD)
AE Pentanummium
Mint: Constantinople
SBC 170
21 x 20 mm.
3.55 gm.
Die position=11h
Obverse:
Reverse:


Justinian I (527 - 565 AD)
AE Half Follis
Mint: Nicomedia
SBC 203
23 mm.
7.06 gm.
Die position=6h
Obverse: Facing bust.
Reverse: Large 'K'; 'NI' below. Year XXVI = 26 = 552/3 CE


Justinian I (527 - 565 AD)
AE Follis
Mint: Antioch
Officinae: Γ
SBC 213
31 x 32 mm.
19.09 gm.
Die position=6h
Obverse: Bust right.
Reverse: Struck 527/8. Large 'M'; in exergue: 'ANTIX'


Justinian I (527 - 565 AD)
AE Follis
Mint: Theoupolis
Officinae: Β
SBC 214
32 x 36 mm.
16.86 gm.
Die position=6h
Obverse: Justinian enthroned facing.
Reverse: Large 'M' between ✶ and ❨


Justinian I (527 - 565 AD)
AE Follis
Mint: Theoupolis
Officinae: Δ
SBC 217
33 x 32 mm.
13.83 gm.
Die position=6h
Obverse: Bust right.
Reverse: Large 'M'; ☩ above. ΘYΠOΛS in exergue.


Justinian I (527 - 565 AD)
AE Half Follis
Mint: Antioch/Theoupolis
Officinae: Γ
SBC 225
24 x 25 mm.
8.10 gm.
Die position=12h
Obverse:
Reverse:


Justinian I (527 - 565 AD)
AE Half Follis
Mint: Theoupolis
Officinae: Γ
SBC 226
25 mm.
8.92 gm.
Die position=12h
Obverse: Bust right.
Reverse: Large 'K'.


Justinian I (527 - 565 AD)
AE Half Follis
Mint: Antioch/Theoupolis
Officinae: Γ
SBC 226
23 x 22 mm.
5.91 gm.
Die position=12h
Obverse:
Reverse:


Justinian I (527 - 565 AD)
AE Decanummium
Mint: Theuopolis
SBC 239
22 mm.
3.36 gm.
Die position=4h
Obverse: Facing bust.
Reverse: Large 'I'; ☩ above. Year XXXζII = 38 = 564/5 CE


Justinian I (527 - 565 AD)
AE 10 Nummi
Mint: Antioch
SBC 239
22 mm.
3.36 gm.
Die position=4h
Obverse: Facing bust.
Reverse: Large 'I'; ☩ above. Year XXXμ = 35 = 561/2 CE


Justinian I (527 - 565 AD)
AE Pentanummium
Mint: Antioch/Theoupolis
SBC 243
15 mm.
2.35 gm.
Die position=9h
Obverse:
Reverse:


Justinian I (527 - 565 AD)
AE Pentanummium
Mint: Antioch/Theoupolis
SBC 243
15 mm.
2.06 gm.
Die position=12h
Obverse: Diademed and cuirassed bust right. D N IVSTINIANVS PP AVG (or similar)
Reverse: Large 'E' with cross at center; symbol to right.


Justinian I (527 - 565 AD)
AE Pentanummium
Mint: Antioch/Theoupolis
SBC 245
16 mm.
2.25 gm.
Die position=5h
Obverse: Diademed and cuirassed bust right. Blundered D N IVSTINIANVS PP AVG (or similar)
Reverse: Monogram 2 within large 'C'.


Justinian I (527 - 565 AD)
AE Follis
Mint: Ravenna
SBC 323
29 x 30 mm.
9.06 gm.
Die position=6h
Obverse:
Reverse:


Justin II
November 15, 565 - October 5, 578


Justin II (565 - 578 AD)
AE Follis
Mint: Constantinople
Officinae: Γ
SBC 360
28 x 30 mm.
13.93 gm.
Die position=6h
Obverse:
Reverse: Year I = 1 = 565/6 CE.


Justin II (565 - 578 AD)
AE Half Follis
Mint: Constantinople
SBC 361
27 x 26 mm.
7.11 gm.
Die position=12h
Obverse:
Reverse:


Justin II (565 - 578 AD)
AE Follis
Mint: Nicomedia
Officinae: Α
SBC 369
30 mm.
13.22 gm.
Die position=6h
Obverse:
Reverse: Year XI = 11 = 575/6 CE.


Justin II (565 - 578 AD)
AE Follis
Mint: Nicomedia
Officinae: Α
568/9 AD
SBC 369
31 mm.
14.96 gm.
Die position=6h
Obverse: Justin on left holding globus cruciger, Sophia on right holding cruciform sceptre; both nimbate and seated on double throne. D N IVSTINVS PP AVG (or similar)
Reverse: Large 'M' between ANNO and IIII (regnal year 4); cross above, officina letter 'A' below. NIKO in exergue.


Justin II (565 - 578 AD)
AE Pentanummium
Mint: Nicomedia
SBC 371
14 x 13 mm.
1.62 gm.
Die position=8h
Obverse:
Reverse:


Justin II (565 - 578 AD)
AE Pentanummium
Mint: Theoupolis
SBC 385
11 x 13 mm.
0.59 gm.
Die position=9h
Obverse:
Reverse:


Justin II (565 - 578 AD)
AE 10 Nummi
Mint: Carthage
SBC 400
17 x 19 mm.
3.93 gm.
Die position=2h
Obverse: Facing busts of Justin and Sophia; 'VITA' in exergue.
Reverse: Large 'I' between 'N' and 'M'; legend around.


Tiberius II Constantine
September 26, 578 - August 14, 582


Tiberius II Constantine (578 - 582 AD)
AE Follis
Mint: Nicomedia
Officinae: Β
580/1 AD
SBC 441
30 mm.
12.07 gm.
Die position=6h
Obverse: Crowned bust facing holding mappa and eagle-tipped sceptre; no cross above. S M TIb CONSTANT PP AVG (or similar)
Reverse: Large 'M'. Year ςI = 7 = 580/1 CE..


Tiberius II Constantine (578 - 582 AD)
AE Decanummium
Mint: Ravenna
SBC 472
16 x 18 mm.
4.49 gm.
Die position=11h
Obverse:
Reverse:


Maurice Tiberius
August 13, 582 - November 22, 602


Maurice Tiberius (582 - 602 AD)
AE Follis
Mint: Constantinople
Officinae: Α
SBC 492
30 x 32 mm.
12.37 gm.
Die position=7h
Obverse:
Reverse:


Maurice Tiberius (582 - 602 AD)
AE Half Follis
Mint: Constantinople
Officinae: Α
583/4 AD
SBC 496
22 mm.
5.54 gm.
Die position=7h
Obverse: Helmeted and cuirassed bust facing holding globus cruciger and shield. D N TIbER MAVRC PP A (or similar)
Reverse: Large 'K' between ANNO and numerals designating the regnal year (II = year 2); cross above, officina letter 'A' below.


Maurice Tiberius (582 - 602 AD)
AE Half Follis
Mint: Constantinople
Officinae: Γ
SBC 497v.
23 x 22 mm.
5.25 gm.
Die position=7h
Obverse:
Reverse:
Note: Unsure of this attribution.


Maurice Tiberius (582 - 602 AD)
AE Follis
Mint: Nicomedia
Officinae: Α (?)
587/8 AD
SBC 512
30 mm.
11.00 gm.
Die position=6h
Obverse: Helmeted and cuirassed bust facing holding globus cruciger and shield. D N MAVV TER PP A
Reverse: Large 'M' between ANNO and numerals designating the regnal year (ς = year 6); cross above, officina letter 'A' (?) below. In exergue, 'NIKO'.


Maurice Tiberius (582 - 602 AD)
AE Follis
Mint: Nicomedia
Officinae: Β
595/6 AD
SBC 512
28 mm.
11.91 gm.
Die position=7h
Obverse: Helmeted and cuirassed bust facing holding globus cruciger and shield. O N MO P I K I O (sic).
Reverse: Large 'M' between ANNO and numerals designating the regnal year (XIIII = year 14); cross above, officina letter 'B' below. In exergue, NIKO.


Maurice Tiberius (582 - 602 AD)
AE Follis
Mint: Cyzicus
SBC 518
33 x 32 mm.
13.23 gm.
Die position=6h
Obverse:
Reverse:


Maurice Tiberius (582 - 602 AD)
AE Follis
Mint: Theoupolis
Officinae: Γ
SBC 533
29 mm.
10.22 gm.
Die position=6h
Obverse:
Reverse:


Maurice Tiberius (582 - 602 AD)
AE Follis
Mint: Theoupolis
602 AD
SBC 533
29 mm.
11.02 gm.
Die position=6h
Obverse: Bust facing, wearing crown with 'trefoil' ornament and consular robes, holding mappa and eagle-tipped sceptre. D N MAUΓI CN P AUT
Reverse: Large 'M' between ANNO and numerals designating the regnal year (XXI = year 21); cross above, officina letter Γ below. In exergue, THEUP*.


Maurice Tiberius (582 - 602 AD)
AE Decanummium
Mint: Theoupolis
SBC 536
19 x 18 mm.
2.68 gm.
Die position=6h
Obverse:
Reverse:


Maurice Tiberius (582 - 602 AD)
AE 12 Nummi
Mint: Alexandria
SBC 543
15 mm.
3.90 gm.
Die position=12h
Obverse:
Reverse:


Maurice Tiberius (582 - 602 AD)
AE 12 Nummi
Mint: Alexandria
SBC 543
15 x 16 mm.
4.76 gm.
Die position=12h
Obverse:
Reverse:


Maurice Tiberius (582 - 602 AD)
AE Decanummium
Mint: Catania
SBC 580
18 x 16 mm.
4.29 gm.
Die position=_h
Obverse:
Reverse: Large 'I'; Year I


Maurice Tiberius (582 - 602 AD)
AE Decanummium
Mint: Catania
SBC 581v.
15 x 14 mm.
3.80 gm.
Die position=6h
Obverse:
Reverse:


Maurice Tiberius (582 - 602 AD)
AE Decanummium
Mint: Syracuse
SBC 583
14 mm.
4.32 gm.
Die position=6h
Obverse:
Reverse: Large 'X'


Maurice Tiberius (582 - 602 AD) (?)
AE Half Follis
Mint: [?]
SBC [?]
22 x 21 mm.
5.99 gm.
Die position=7h
Obverse:
Reverse: Large 'K'


Theodosius
circa 589 - November 22, 602


Phocas
November 23, 602 - October 5, 610


Phocas (602 - 610 AD)
AV Solidus
Mint: Constantinople
SBC 620
21 mm.
4.45 gm.
Die position=?h
Obverse: Diademed and cuirassed bust facing, wearing crown without pendilia and holding globus cruciger. dN N FOCAS PERP AVG
Reverse: Angel standing facing, holding globus cruciger and chi-rho topped staff. CONOB in exergue. VICTORIA AVGu I (officina 'I')


Phocas (602 - 610 AD)
AE Half Follis
Mint: Constantinople
Officinae: Α
SBC 644
23 x 24 mm.
6.69 gm.
Die position=1h
Obverse: Facing bust.
Reverse: Large 'XX'; ✶ above.


Phocas (602 - 610 AD)
AE Follis
Mint: Nicomedia
Officinae: Β
SBC 659
32 x 27 mm.
9.30 gm.
Die position=8h
Obverse: Facing bust.
Reverse: Large 'XXXX'. Year μ = 5 = 606/7 CE.


Phocas (602 - 610 AD)
AE Follis
Mint: Theuopolis
SBC 671
26 x 25 mm.
9.94 gm.
Die position=6h
Obverse: Phocas and Leontia standing, facing.
Reverse: Large 'm'; ☩ above. Year IIII = 4 = 605/6 CE


Phocas (602 - 610 AD)
AE 12 Nummi
Mint: Alexandria
SBC 679
13 x 12 mm.
1.94 gm.
Die position=10h
Obverse: Bust right.
Reverse: I ☩ B. In exergue: ΑΛΕΞ


Phocas (602 - 610 AD)
AE 12 Nummi
Mint: Alexandria
SBC 679 (?)
16 x 14 mm.
2.36 gm.
Die position=6h
Obverse: Diademed, draped and cuirassed beardless bust right, in extremely crude style; barbarized legend.
Reverse: Large IB with cross between. ALEX in exergue.
Note: This coin may be a local, irregular issue of the period, from the Sasanian conquest (circa 620) or even an Arab-Byzantine issue.



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