US DOLLAR
EURO
AUSTRALIAN DOLLAR
CANADIAN DOLLAR
POUND STERLING
Product Description
This nice quality anonymous bronze follis coin was minted by Roman Byzantine Emperors Romanus III or Michael IV, dating from 1028 - 1041 AD. It is of the Class B type, and has a nice patina that highlights the reverse inscription. The obverse is worn but faintly shows a facing bust of a nimbate Christ Pantocrator, holding the gospels. The actual coin is much better in person than it is seen in the photo. In Christian iconography, Christ Pantocrator (Christ the Almighty) is a specific depiction of Christ. Pantocrator or Pantokrator, literally "ruler of all", but usually translated as "Almighty" or "all-powerful". The reverse shows the inscription, IS-XS / BAS-ILЄ / BAS-ILЄ, meaning 'Jesus Christ, King of Kings", around a cross potent on three steps.
HISTORY
Starting with emperor John I Tzimisces during his rule which began in 969 AD, and lasting for over a century until Alexius' coinage reform in 1092 AD, the production of follis denomination Byzantine coins featured not an emperor, but religious Christian motifs which included included Jesus Christ, and even the Virgin Mary. These coins were designed to honor Christ and recognize the subservient role of the Byzantine emperor, with many of the reverse inscriptions translating to "Jesus Christ King of Kings" and "May Jesus Christ Conquer". The follis denomination coins were the largest bronze denomination coins issued by the Byzantine empire, and their large size, along with the Christian motif make them a popular coin type for collectors.
