Andronicus II Palaeologus, with Michael IX AD 1282-1328. Constantinople, Basilikon AR Obverse: KVPIE BOHΘEI; IC XC / Christ Pantokrator enthroned facing, right hand in benediction Reverse: AVTOKPATO-PEC PWMAIWN / Andronicus and Michael standing facing, holding labarum between them. DOC 513, SB 2402. 1,93g. This Basilikon doesn’t have the best strike with many flat areas but I was able to get it for under $40! With Italian (and specifically Venetian) silver starting to take hold across the Mediterranean as the universal currency, Byzantium had to answer. The Basilikon (βασιλικόν) translates to Imperial Coin (Basileus being the term for King/Emperor). This denomination stands out with comparative Byzantine coinage in terms of both purity and abundance. It was first minted by Emperor Andronikos II to pay for the Catalan Company mercenaries hired to fight the Seljuk Turks. The rate of value was 12-15 basilikons to AV Hyperpyron.
Really cool coin, @The Trachy Enjoyer. What leapt out at me first was the similarity in module to grossos. Love that reverse legend.
Seems to have been a massive hoard of these coins that flooded the market. It brought the prices down substantially. I was able to pick up a few varieties of these coins, but $40 is still a pretty good deal for a basilikon...