r o m a i o n e m p i r e
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
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
Imperial Byzantine Coinage
200k JPGAnastasius I (491 - 518 AD)
AE Follis
Mint: Constantinople
SBC 19
33 mm.
16.04 gm.
Die position=7h
Obverse:
Reverse:
![[Anastasius I]](i_byz_19_o.jpg)
27k JPGAnastasius I (491 - 518 AD)
AE Follis
Mint: Constantinople
SBC 19v.
33 mm.
16.71 gm.
Die position=6h
reverse
Obverse: Diademed, draped and cuirassed bust right. Unknown device on shoulder. D N ANASTASIVS PP AVG
Reverse: Large 'M' between two 8-pointed stars; above, cross; beneath, officina letter 'E'. In exergue, CON.
Note: Overstruck on earlier issue (?)
![[Anastasius I]](i_byz_24_o.jpg)
10k JPGAnastasius I (491 - 518 AD)
AE Half Follis [small module]
Mint: Constantinople
SBC 24
18 mm.
4.32 gm.
Die position=8h
reverse
Obverse: Diademed, draped and cuirassed bust right. D N ANASTASIVS PP AVG
Reverse: Large 'K'; to left, cross, to right, officina letter 'A'. Six-pointed stars above and below.
40k JPGAnastasius I (491 - 518 AD)
AE Pentanummium
Mint: Constantinople
SBC 29v.
12 x 11 mm.
2.34 gm.
Die position=12h
Obverse:
Reverse:
50k JPGJustin I (518 - 527 AD)
AE Pentanummium
Mint: Constantinople
SBC 75
13 mm.
2.29 gm.
Die position=6h
Obverse:
Reverse:
45k JPGJustin I (518 - 527 AD)
AE Pentanummium
Mint: Antioch
SBC 111
14 x 12 mm.
1.99 gm.
Die position=12h
Obverse:
Reverse:
24k JPGJustin I and Justinian I (527 AD)
AE Follis
Mint: Constantinople
SBC 125
29 mm.
17.26 gm.
Die position=2h
reverse
Obverse: Diademed, draped and cuirassed bust right; star on shoulder.
Reverse: Large 'M' between star and cross; cross above, officina letter 'A' (?). In exergue, CON.
100k JPGJustinian I (527 - 565 AD)
AE Pentanummium
Mint: Constantinople
SBC 170
21 x 20 mm.
3.55 gm.
Die position=11h
Obverse:
Reverse:
140k JPGJustinian I (527 - 565 AD)
AE Half Follis
Mint: Antioch/Theoupolis
SBC 225
24 x 25 mm.
8.10 gm.
Die position=12h
Obverse:
Reverse:
115k JPGJustinian I (527 - 565 AD)
AE Half Follis
Mint: Antioch/Theoupolis
SBC 226
23 x 22 mm.
5.91 gm.
Die position=12h
Obverse:
Reverse:
60k JPGJustinian I (527 - 565 AD)
AE Pentanummium
Mint: Antioch/Theoupolis
SBC 243
15 mm.
2.35 gm.
Die position=9h
Obverse:
Reverse:
![[Justinian I]](i_byz_243_o.jpg)
7k JPGJustinian I (527 - 565 AD)
AE Pentanummium
Mint: Antioch/Theoupolis
SBC 243
15 mm.
2.06 gm.
Die position=12h
reverse
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]](i_byz_245_o.jpg)
10k JPGJustinian I (527 - 565 AD)
AE Pentanummium
Mint: Antioch/Theoupolis
SBC 245
16 mm.
2.25 gm.
Die position=5h
reverse
Obverse: Diademed and cuirassed bust right. Blundered D N IVSTINIANVS PP AVG (or similar)
Reverse: Monogram 2 within large 'C'.
190k JPGJustinian I (527 - 565 AD)
AE Follis
Mint: Ravenna
SBC 323
29 x 30 mm.
9.06 gm.
Die position=6h
Obverse:
Reverse:
140k JPGJustin 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]](i_byz_369_o.jpg)
28k JPGJustin II (565 - 578 AD)
AE Follis
Mint: Nicomedia
568/9 AD
SBC 369
31 mm.
14.96 gm.
Die position=6h
reverse
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.
50k JPGJustin II (565 - 578 AD)
AE Pentanummium
Mint: Nicomedia
SBC 371
14 x 13 mm.
1.62 gm.
Die position=8h
Obverse:
Reverse:
50k JPGJustin II (565 - 578 AD)
AE Pentanummium
Mint: Theoupolis
SBC 385
11 x 13 mm.
0.59 gm.
Die position=9h
Obverse:
Reverse:
![[Tiberius II Constantine]](i_byz_441_o.jpg)
23k JPGTiberius II Constantine (578 - 582 AD)
AE Follis
Mint: Nicomedia
580/1 AD
SBC 441
30 mm.
12.07 gm.
Die position=6h
reverse
Obverse: Crowned bust facing holding mappa and eagle-tipped sceptre; no cross above. S M TIb CONSTANT PP AVG (or similar)
Reverse: Large 'M' between ANNO and numerals designating the regnal year (ςI = year 7); cross above, NIKO B (officina letter 'B') in exergue.
80k JPGTiberius II Constantine (578 - 582 AD)
AE Decanummium
Mint: Ravenna
SBC 472
16 x 18 mm.
4.49 gm.
Die position=11h
Obverse:
Reverse:
200k JPGMaurice Tiberius (582 - 602 AD)
AE Follis
Mint: Constantinople
SBC 492
30 x 32 mm.
12.37 gm.
Die position=7h
Obverse:
Reverse:
![[Maurice Tiberius]](i_byz_496_o.jpg)
14k JPGMaurice Tiberius (582 - 602 AD)
AE Half Follis
Mint: Constantinople
583/4 AD
SBC 496
22 mm.
5.54 gm.
Die position=7h
reverse
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.
130k JPGMaurice Tiberius (582 - 602 AD)
AE Half Follis
Mint: Constantinople
SBC 497v.
23 x 22 mm.
5.25 gm.
Die position=7h
Obverse:
Reverse:
Note: Unsure of this attribution.
![[Maurice Tiberius]](i_byz_512_o.jpg)
23k JPGMaurice Tiberius (582 - 602 AD)
AE Follis
Mint: Nicomedia
587/8 AD
SBC 512
30 mm.
11.00 gm.
Die position=6h
reverse
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]](i_byz_512_o2.jpg)
23k JPGMaurice Tiberius (582 - 602 AD)
AE Follis
Mint: Nicomedia
595/6 AD
SBC 512
28 mm.
11.91 gm.
Die position=7h
reverse
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.
190k JPGMaurice Tiberius (582 - 602 AD)
AE Follis
Mint: Cyzicus
SBC 518
33 x 32 mm.
13.23 gm.
Die position=6h
Obverse:
Reverse:
170k JPGMaurice Tiberius (582 - 602 AD)
AE Follis
Mint: Theoupolis
SBC 533
29 mm.
10.22 gm.
Die position=6h
Obverse:
Reverse:
![[Maurice Tiberius]](i_byz_533_o.jpg)
34k JPGMaurice Tiberius (582 - 602 AD)
AE Follis
Mint: Theoupolis
602 AD
SBC 533
29 mm.
11.02 gm.
Die position=6h
reverse
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*.
80k JPGMaurice Tiberius (582 - 602 AD)
AE Decanummium
Mint: Theoupolis
SBC 536
19 x 18 mm.
2.68 gm.
Die position=6h
Obverse:
Reverse:
60k JPGMaurice Tiberius (582 - 602 AD)
AE 12 Nummi
Mint: Alexandria
SBC 543
15 mm.
3.90 gm.
Die position=12h
Obverse:
Reverse:
60k JPGMaurice Tiberius (582 - 602 AD)
AE 12 Nummi
Mint: Alexandria
SBC 543
15 x 16 mm.
4.76 gm.
Die position=12h
Obverse:
Reverse:
60k JPGMaurice Tiberius (582 - 602 AD)
AE Decanummium
Mint: Catania
SBC 581v.
15 x 14 mm.
3.80 gm.
Die position=6h
Obverse:
Reverse:
![[Phocas]](i_byz_620_o.jpg)
18k JPGPhocas (602 - 610 AD)
AV Solidus
Mint: Constantinople
SBC 620
21 mm.
4.45 gm.
Die position=?h
reverse
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]](i_byz_679_o.jpg)
6k JPGPhocas (602 - 610 AD)
AE 12 Nummi
Mint: Alexandria
SBC 679 (?)
16 x 14 mm.
2.36 gm.
Die position=6h
reverse
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.
g o t o p a g e 2
b a c k t o a n c i e n t c o i n s