Follis - Anonymous Class A2 Constantinopolis ?

[Michele G]

Good morning everyone,

I have this Byzantine coin.
It weighs 14.27 grams and has a diameter of 29 mm → Class A Folles' target='_blank'>Class A2?

I am absolutely not an expert in this type of coinage, but I have done some research.

The coin is heavily worn, but on the obverse I can see a depiction with a crucigerous halo (containing a cross) around the head, therefore Jesus Christ → Anonymous follis.
Due to wear it is not clearly visible, but Christ Pantokrator is holding the Gospels in his left hand and blessing with his right (or at least that is how it should be).
On the reverse I perhaps read the following inscriptions:

IhSuS
XRISTuS
bASILEu
bASILE

which translates as: “Jesus Christ, King of Kings.”

I would say the coin was minted roughly between 976 and 1030 AD, during the reigns of Basil II (the Bulgar‑Slayer) or Constantine VIII.

The fact that Jesus, rather than the emperor, appears on the obverse represents the moment when the Byzantine Empire chose to place divine authority above that of the earthly ruler.

Can anyone tell me whether my reasoning is correct?

Perhaps even arriving at a precise BCV classification (Byzantine Coins and Their Values by David R. Sear).

Could it be this one: https://it.numista.com/143683 ?
BCV #1813

Thank you.

[cmcdon0923]

It's definitely a Class = A anonymous follis. 

I'm leaning towards a subtype of A2/A3.   It's difficult to see if there is any type of ornamentation above and/or below the reverse inscription.  If there is no ornamentation at all it could then be a type A1.
 
And if it is an A2 or A3, your estimates of a minting date and ruler are accurate.  If it would be an A1, it would be earlier, during the reign of John I, Tzimisces (969-976).


Craig

[Michele G]

Thank you

[Obryzum]

It's not A1: It's too large and the spacing of the reverse legend is too cramped.

The first thing to consider to distinguish between A2 and A3 is size and weight. Class A Folles' target='_blank'>Class A2 is much larger and heavier than Class A Folles' target='_blank'>Class A3. This is not even close: 29mm indicates that this is Class A Folles' target='_blank'>Class A2.