US DOLLAR
EURO
AUSTRALIAN DOLLAR
CANADIAN DOLLAR
POUND STERLING
Product Description
This nice quality anonymous bronze follis coin was minted by Roman Byzantine Emperors Constantine IX, dating from 1042 - 1055 AD. It is of the class D type, and has a nice patina and encrustation layer that highlights the image of Christ holding the gospels, as well as the reverse inscription. The obverse shows Christ seated on a throne facing forward, wearing a pallium and colobium. He is holding the gospels with both hands. The reverse shows the inscription, IS XS / bASILE / bASIL (Jesus Christ King of Kings), lines and cross above, ornamental lines and crescent below.
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.