Anonymous Æ Follis Class A2, Basil II and Constantine VIII...

The quantity of metal used for this anonymous follis brings its weight to 20.02g. On average, the series has a weight of 15g. Yet this one also measures a few millimeters below the series' average size of 36mm (according to Sear). This is explained by the flan flaring out thickly to one side, almost to double width, which is visible on the reverse upper left. Though weak in places, the coin's obverse retains its general overall design, including fully legible "EMMANOVHA" and IC, XC characters. On the reverse, the letters have seen some wear but remain generally legible. In hand, this coin makes its chunky presence known through gravity alone. Anonymous Class A2 includes numerous varieties in the nimbus cross limbs and the top and bottom reverse "flourishes." Sommer lists and shows 12 in total (40.2.1 - 40.2.12). These types feel truly Byzantine, in that the emperors removed their own images and names from the coinage and replaced them with Christ Pantocrator, possibly to suggest who they felt was really in charge. Economics and iconography merge in this fascinating series. The iconoclasts, long gone by this era, would not have approved. In the end, as this coin shows, Byzantium embraced iconography, but not before the destruction of countless artworks and distracting politico-theological debates that impacted the empire for over a century. Human history never fails to shock and intrigue. The anonymous folles perfectly capture the spirit of their times.

Basil II & Constantine VIII (976 - 1025); Æ Anonymous Follis, class A2; Obv: Nimbate (with two pellets in each limb of cross) bust of Christ facing, holding Book of Gospels, EMMANOVHA, IC to left, XC to right; Rev: "+IhSUS XRISTUS BASILEU BASILE" in 4 lines; 33mm, 20.02g, Sommer 40.2.4, Sear 1813

 

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It certainly is a splendid example of the larger series.

 

@ewomack Thanks for sharing that example! I really like its flan weight and thickness!!! (And the centering and details are great, too.)

Here is my best SB_1813. Its weight of 14.2g is much closer to the average for this type than is your extra heavy one. Mine has quite a bit of uncleaned hoard patina remaining, which I think is pretty cool so am happy to leave in place.



It's the same diameter as yours though: 33mm. The fact that both are well-centered shouldn't be too surprising since the flan made a "side of the barn" size target for the fella' who struck it. LOL! However, I've seen some follies with this wide of a flan that were struck fairly off-center. :-o