This is a recent find from a large group of AE4's I was going through. Looks like a 1/8th siliqua. Bearded bust facing, and I think either a cross potent or globus cruciger on the reverse. I am thinking Heraclius or Constans? I just can't seem to find this one anywhere though. Any help welcome! 7mm, 0.12g
It looks like Manuel I ( 1143-1180) tetarteron but clipped , I say this without certainty, the obverse should be not just a head with labrum but a bust. The reverse I cannot make out at all. The smallest of half tetartera should be no smaller than 15mm, again giving me the belief it has been clipped for some reason.
It is definitely not a tetarteron. The thickness matches the fractional siliquae (only weighs 0.12g).
I'm sorry that I can't help. All I can say is that I think your screen name—Holding History—is great! It's very appropriate!
I really think it is a clipped 12th century coin but not normally clipped. Just the head and it captured part of the reverse. The more I looked at the reverse it reminded me of part of a chair. Such as the Manuel trachy. As for it being a tetarteron they went very low especially in the imitation tetartera made in the 13th century , depicting rulers that had left the planet many decades earlier. This Alexius is 15mm and only .6gm , Why someone clipped it is any ones guess.
One other example. This is not a tetarteron but it is 5gm and tetarteron size. It was sold to me by a dealer in Iceland who had several. It is a clipped Anonymous Follis.
The odd Byzantine coins often confound me. But just looking at it I might suggest it isnt a cross potent. They usually have three and four steps, I cant see that clearly on this. It could be a monogram, the orientation of which may be confusing. Also, the obverse may not be just on bust but two (hard to say with the corrosion), and that would explain why it looks off center.
