Basil I was Byzantine emperor from 867 to 886. He founded the "Macedonian Dynasty" which lasted almost 200 years, until 1056. Here is one of his AE coin types, a recent acquisition: Basil I, alone. Struck 879-886. 28-27 mm. 7.01 grams. +bASILIO S bASILЄVS Basil in loros on throne with curved arms ("winged throne") +bASIL IOS ЄҺΘЄC bASILЄVS ROMEOҺ Sear 1709. DO 12. I wrote up the story on my page about Basil I: http://augustuscoins.com/ed/Byz/Basil.html It is interesting, I assure you. His second son and successor was Leo VI, so if you have one of those common coins, you might like to read it. For an introduction to Byzantine coins, see: http://augustuscoins.com/ed/Byz/index.html Show us something Byzantine!
I'll tack on two coins of Basil I that are a bit different. First is an AE18 from the Cherson mint with a large B on exergual line on the obverse and cross on three steps reverse. Sear 1718. The coin comes without the obverse pellets and only two steps for those into varieties. My solidus of Basil and Constantine is gold over copper fourree and the reverse legend does not match listings so I assume this is a mule that I am not recognizing. I bought this coin from an estate in 1990 so those of you who recognize this pairing are asked to correct my 30 year ignorance. Please.
All three of those are great examples! That is an absolutely beautiful Basil 1 @Valentinian ! And that fouree is really interesting @dougsmit ! It close to this one but definitely has a different legend on the side of Jesus. https://www.wildwinds.com/coins/byz/basil_I/sb1704.jpg I don't have a Basil, though I have been on the hunt for an example. But I do have an example of his successor, Leo VI, the Wise. Leo VI AE Follis Constantinople Obverse: LEON bASILEVS ROM, crowned bust facing with short beard, wearing chlamys, holding akakia Reverse: LEON EN QEO BA SILEVS R OMEON legend in four lines
That is a great follis @Valentinian . I have one of his successor as well. Plus one from just further down the line:
Here are a few of my Basil I coins that hasn't been posted yet... Byzantine Empire: Basil I the Macedonian (867-886) AR Miliaresion, Constantinople (Sear 1708) Obv: IhSЧS XRISτЧS hICA; Cross potent set on three steps on globe Rev: +bASI/ LIOS CЄ/ COnSTAn/TIn PISTV/ bASILIS/ ROMEO in 6 lines Byzantine Empire: Basil I the Macedonian (867-886) Æ Follis, Constantinople (Sear 1712; DOC 11) Obv: Crowned facing half-length figures of Basil, wearing loros and holding akakia, flanked by Leo and Constantine, each wearing chlamys Rev: + ЬASIL / COҺSTAҺ / T S LЄOҺ ЄҺ / ΘO ЬASILS / ROMЄOҺ in five lines; ✷ below This poor tattered coin came in a lot that I bought a while ago: Byzantine Empire: Basil I the Macedonian (867-886) Æ Follis, Constantinople (Sear 1721; DOC III 8b) Obv: + ЬASILIOSSCOҺST' AЧGG; Two busts facing, Basil to left, bearded, Constantine to right, smaller, beardless, each wearing chlamys and crown with cross, holding between them by their right hands a labarum ornamented with ⁛ and streamers Rev: + ЬASIL / SCOҺSTAҺ / TIҺOSЄҺΘO / ЬASILSЄISR / OMAOҺ in five lines