Coin

Item number 3095/1581 from the MOA: University of British Columbia.

Public

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Description

Byzantine coin of John III, 1222-1254. Obverse: the Virgin Mary, enthroned; 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; on her breast, there is a small head with a halo of Christ as an infant; to left, inscription says ‘MP’; to right, ‘ΘV’. Reverse: two figures, standing and facing front; to left, John III, wearing a loros, which is an embroidered and jewelled scarf; he holds a labarum, a military standard; to right, Saint Demetrius, wearing military clothing; he holds either a labarum or a spear; between them, they hold a patriarchal cross. The inscription on the obverse in translation says ‘Mother of God’. Coin is concave.

History Of Use

“Billon Trachy” (denomination); Sear# 2128.

Narrative

This coin is from the Empire of Nicaea, which was one of the empires founded by the Byzantines after the fall of Constantinople in 1204. When Constantinople was recaptured in 1261, the Empire of Nicaea was incorporated into the restored Byzantine Empire.