Here's a follis that I picked up earlier this year. This coin was issued by Byzantine Emperor Alexius I (1081-1118 CE). I am not familiar with the coins issued by Alexius I. Are there other examples in your possession, and what is the rarity or scarcity of his coinage? This coin weighs 8.10 grams and measures approximately 25 mm. SB 1911. Thanks
Nice! I don't have an Alexius Komnenos yet but I have been listening to "The History of Byzantium" podcast by Robin Pierson and he is at the point in history discussing him.
This is the last follis minted; no more of this denomination was minted afterwards. It is interesting because of this. Is not rare and not expensive (20-30 eur?). I do not believe i have one, but is not exactly in my area of interest. I might get one because of the "last follis" thing.
You could consider a tetarteron - Sear 1929 and 1931 have a portrait, a more interesting (for me) design, are not rare and you might find a good quality/price.
I am with this theory as well. The coin is special because of the 'last' status and also because it is one of those 'not quite' anonymous types. In this case you have to read to the bottom of the legend to find the name. If I owned this coin, I would be very tempted to clean it. How would that go? I hope I would have the sense to be gentle.
Thanks. I'll need to think about that. Right now I'm inclined to leave the coin as-is. BTW, the coin came with a nice custom holder, one that can be opened to examine the coin more closely.
Emperor Alexius had the misfortune to be the man in charge when the soldiers of the First Crusade passed through Byzantium leaving a lot of destruction in their wake. Alexius Electrum Histamenon Christ Electrum, 30 mm, 4.35 gm, struck: AD 1082-1087 Constantinople Obverse: Christ facing on throne, IC to left and XC to right Reverse: Crowned bust of Alexius facing, holding scepter surmounted by star and globe with cross AΛEΞIꞶ ΔECΠOT TꞶ KM (Alexios Despot, "TꞶ KM" is "Of Comnenus") When the Crusaders moved east and into the territory of the Christian Byzantine Empire and the Moslem Empires they encountered gold coins in routine use. The term "Bezant" became a slang term for a Byzantine gold coin and sometimes for any gold coin encountered. Also a trachy of Alexius: Alexius Aspron Billon Silver Trachy Christ Billon silver, 26 mm, 4.57 gm Struck: AD 1090-1118 Constantinople Aspron was a Byzantine name for a white silver coin A trachy was a cup-shaped coin made of electrum, billon silver, or copper Obverse: Christ Pantokrator facing on throne IC to left of Christ Reverse: Crowned facing bust of Alexius, holding sceptre and globe with cross AΛEΞIꞶ ΔECΠOT (Alexios Despot)