| Coins were one of several media used for the emperor's largesses, the ceremonial distributions of gold coins and other gifts to celebrate his accession to the throne, subsequent anniversaries of that event, and other celebrations (see photo of Notitia Dignitatum, right). Coins were also used to pay the salaries of court and army officials, an elaborately staged event described by Liutprand of Cremona that recalls the images in the Notitia:
"A long table had upon it … money tied up in bags, the amount being written on the outside. The recipients then came in and stood before the emperor … the first to be summoned was the marshal of the palace who carried off his money, not in his hands but on his shoulders [in bags weighing more than 40 Roman pounds {=13 kilos=ca. 29 present-day pounds}], together with four cloaks of honor [i.e. silk garments] … Those of equal rank received an equal number of money bags and clothes which with some assistance they dragged laboriously away …"
Emperor Constantine IX and Zoe flanking Christ
Mosaic from St. Sophia
Constantinople, mid-11th century
This mosaic commemorates the generosity of
Constantine IX (1042-55), who made a substantial
donation to St. Sophia enabling the Eucharist to be
celebrated every day instead of only on Saturdays and
Sundays. He holds a bulging money bag (fastened with
a seal) while the empress holds a scroll (the text of the
chrysobull) with the emperor's signature in red letters;
it records the details and amount of the donation.
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