Michael VII Hyperpyron - Coin Community Forum

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Author	Replies: 6 / Views: 2,574
Torquelover New Member China 16 Posts	Posted 04/23/2013 01:29 am Just got this from an auction. Michael VII Ducas. 1071-1078. AV Histamenon Nomisma (28mm, 4.18 g, 6h). Constantinople mint. Facing bust of Christ Pantokrator / Crowned facing bust of Michael, holding labarum without pellet on shaft and globus cruciger. DOC 2a; SB 1868. Near VF, uncertain obverse graffiti, "Mohammed" in Arabic in reverse margin. Report this Post to the Staff

sel_69l Bedrock of the Community Australia 21788 Posts	Posted 04/23/2013 02:36 am During the reign of Michael V11, the Byzantine Empire came to near collapse. That meant their finances would have been in serious trouble as well. The gold coins became debased. It is noted in most books that the gold coins were debased with silver, to make a man made version of electrum. This coin looks a bit coppery, and I have seen a few Byzantine gold coins of a later period than this, that are a bit more coppery in appearance than this one. It seems that when finances were tight, copper as well as silver, was used in the gold alloy. Perhaps it depended on what alloying metals they had on hand at the time. Constantinople was almost completely isolated at this time. The coins bear silent witness to troubled times. Report this Post to the Staff
echizento Moderator United States 23731 Posts	Posted 04/23/2013 12:43 pm Very nice coin. Report this Post to the Staff
Gil-galad Pillar of the Community United States 2044 Posts	Posted 04/23/2013 1:03 pm A bit worn but it is a nice coin. Gotta love the strange style of those coins that the Roman Imperial coins evolved into. Report this Post to the Staff
chrsmat71 Pillar of the Community United States 4973 Posts	Posted 04/23/2013 3:26 pm great cup coin! Report this Post to the Staff
Masis Pillar of the Community United Kingdom 946 Posts	Posted 04/23/2013 7:01 pm What for me is most interesting is the note on the Islamic graffiti. I have a Histamenon of Constantine X (SB 1847), with graffiti on both the obverse and reverse margins. The last graffiti example looks Arabic. Report this Post to the Staff
Torquelover New Member China 16 Posts	Posted 04/23/2013 11:09 pm During Michael VII reign, AU coins are debased to 50-75% gold. The hyperpyron was introduced during the reign of Alexius I who discontinued the solidus. The electrum was also introduced around the same time which is valued at 1/3 of hyperpyron Report this Post to the Staff
	Replies: 6 / Views: 2,574

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