First of all
Robert I stand
corrected , you did not say equal and your point is very valid they did think the Basils word was God approved I know this to be true from my readings I just did not associate it with the coin you used as an example. The Basils costume was elaborate based on earlier Roman traditions and of course new ones picked up on the way.
Alex I was not comparing which of the two time periods was more religious, of course the early
Romans were divided and mixed and worshipped many Gods it is apparent on allot of their coins, however the early Roman currency did mention the accomplishments of the Emperor,
his victories,
his integrity and even
Julia Measa ,a Grandmother, issued a coin regarding her virginity, they even used their Deities to
help send a propaganda message. This is completely unknown in latter
Byzantine coins, no victories, no bragging, just pure and simple praise and worship of God,
Christ, Mary. In fact this is probley why the coins are less collected and are considered to be boring except by the die hards.
The point I am trying to make is none of the imagery used on
Byzantine coins ( after Heraculi )sends any message other than worship for their God or prayer for guidance or ( Even the iconoclastic period.) this could not be said of the
Roman Imperial coinage.