FORVM`s Classical Numismatics Discussion Board

Numism => Help For the New Ancient Coin Collector => Topic started by: Arnulf on August 20, 2005, 08:10:05 pm

Title: Letters on Byzantine Coins
Post by: Arnulf on August 20, 2005, 08:10:05 pm

Hi...what do the large letters on the back of some Byzantine bronzes mean?  Particularly, I have an Anastasius I with a big "K" on the back and a Justinian I with a big "M"?

Thanks!

ADMIN NOTE: See Byzantine Denominations in NumisWiki.

Title: Re: Letters on Byzantine Coins
Post by: Steve Minnoch on August 20, 2005, 09:06:44 pm

It is the denomination in a number of nummi. The letters are the Greek numerals (or sometimes Roman).

A follis (M) = 40 nummi
Half follis (K, or sometimes XX) = 20
Decanummuim (I) = 10
Pentanummium (E) = 5
Nummus (A) = 1

There are some others floating around such as 16 nummi pieces with IS.

Steve