Coin Item Number: 3095/1633 from the MOA: University of British Columbia
Description
Byzantine coin made of electrum, of Andronicus II, 1282-1328. Obverse: bust of the Virgin Mary, facing front; she raises her hands on either side of her in prayer; she is surrounded by three groups of towers and city walls; to left, inscription says ‘CK’; to right, ‘ΠN’. Reverse: three figures; to left, Andronicus II, kneeling; to right, Michael IX, his son and co-emperor, kneeling; in the middle, Christ, standing and facing front, crowning both emperors; Andronicus II and Michael IX each wear a loros, an embroidered and jewelled scarf; Christ has a nimbus cruciger around his head, which is a cross within a halo; to left of nimbus cruciger, it says ‘IC’; to right, ‘XC’. The inscription on the reverse in translation says ‘Jesus Christ’. Coin is concave and is made of electrum.
History Of Use
“Hyperpyron” (denomination); Sear# 2396.
Narrative
This coin has been confirmed by XRF spectrum analysis to be made of electrum, which is a naturally occurring alloy of gold, silver, and copper, used in the ancient world for coins and jewelry.
Item History
- Made in Istanbul, Turkey and Constantinopolis, Turkey between 1295 and 1320
- Owned by David Herman before February 2, 2015
- Received from David Herman (Donor) on February 2, 2015
What
- Name
- Coin
- Identification Number
- 3095/1633
- Type of Item
- coin
- Material
- gold alloy metal
- Overall
- height 0.3 cm, diameter 2.4 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 1295 and 1320
- Ownership Date
- before February 2, 2015
- Acquisition Date
- on February 2, 2015
Other
- Item Classes
- metalwork
- Condition
- good
- Accession Number
- 3095/1633