Coin Item Number: 3095/1538 from the MOA: University of British Columbia
Description
Byzantine coin of Manuel I, 1143-1180. Obverse: bust of the Virgin Mary, facing front; she has a halo; she wears a pallium, which is a woolen cloak, and a maphorium, which is a type of medieval wimple worn by women; she raises her hands in prayer; to left, inscription says ‘MP’; to right, ‘ΘV’. Reverse: bust of Manuel I, facing front; he wears a jewelled chlamys; to left, he holds a labarum, a military standard; to right, he holds a globus cruciger; to left, inscription says ‘MAИɤ’; to right, ‘ΔECΠ…TИ’. The inscription on the obverse in translation says ‘Mother of God’. The Virgin Mary is described in the Sear catalogue as the ‘Virgin Orans’, meaning the ‘Praying Virgin’.
History Of Use
“Tetarteron” (denomination); Sear# 1970.
Narrative
The 'Virgin Orans' was a much copied image in Byzantine art and coinage, and is still found on Ukrainian coinage today.
Item History
- Made in Istanbul, Turkey and Constantinopolis, Turkey between 1143 and 1180
- Owned by David Herman before February 2, 2015
- Received from David Herman (Donor) on February 2, 2015
What
- Name
- Coin
- Identification Number
- 3095/1538
- Type of Item
- coin
- Material
- bronze metal
- Overall
- height 0.1 cm, diameter 2.1 cm
Who
- Culture
- Byzantine
- Previous Owner
- David Herman
- Received from
- David Herman (Donor)
Where
- Holding Institution
- MOA: University of British Columbia
- Made in
- Istanbul, Turkey and Constantinopolis, Turkey
When
- Creation Date
- between 1143 and 1180
- Ownership Date
- before February 2, 2015
- Acquisition Date
- on February 2, 2015
Other
- Item Classes
- metalwork
- Condition
- fair
- Accession Number
- 3095/1538