AE Follis of Alexius Komnenos I

Discussion in 'Ancient Coins' started by robinjojo, Apr 28, 2020.

  1. robinjojo

    robinjojo Well-Known Member

    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

    Alexis Follis, eBay.1 purchase 2020.jpg Alexis Follis, eBay.2 purchase 2020.jpg
     
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  3. furryfrog02

    furryfrog02 Well-Known Member

    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.
     
  4. robinjojo

    robinjojo Well-Known Member

    Thanks

    This is a type coin for me, and the "cross on two steps" seems to be a scarcer type.
     
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  5. catadc

    catadc Well-Known Member

    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.
     
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  6. furryfrog02

    furryfrog02 Well-Known Member

    That's what I would like to do eventually as well, just have a type coin from him.
     
  7. catadc

    catadc Well-Known Member

    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.
     
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  8. dougsmit

    dougsmit Member

    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.
     
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  9. robinjojo

    robinjojo Well-Known Member

    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.

    Follis, custom holder.jpg
     
  10. willieboyd2

    willieboyd2 First Class Poster

    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.

    [​IMG]
    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:
    [​IMG]
    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)

    :)
     
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