Numism > Help For the New Ancient Coin Collector

Letters on Byzantine Coins

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Arnulf:
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.

Steve Minnoch:
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

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