Theodosios (son of Maurice), Silver, Light Third Siliqua, Carthage, 592-597
Obverse
Frontal bust of Theodosios wearing cuirass and crown with pendilia and trefoil ornament.
[ ]TEODO-SIVSPP[ ]
Reverse
N with cross above and CC below, all within dotted circle and wreath.
Obverse
Frontal bust of Theodosios wearing cuirass and crown with pendilia and trefoil ornament.
[ ]TEODO-SIVSPP[ ]
Reverse
N with cross above and CC below, all within dotted circle and wreath.
| Accession number | BZC.1970.39 |
|---|---|
| Catalogue ID | as DOC 1:376, no. (306) |
| Ruler | Theodosios (son of Maurice) |
| Metal | Silver |
| Denomination | Light Third Siliqua |
| Mint | Carthage |
| Date | 592 – 597 |
| Diameter | 13.0 mm |
| Weight | 0.68 g |
| Relation of Dies | 7:00 |
| Shape | Flat |
Acquisition History
Purchased from Münzen und Medaillen, A. G. Basel, auction 43, 12 November 1970, no. 552
Commentary
This coin has a value of two hundred nummi, i.e., five folles. The equivalence inscribed on this one-third siliqua (1/432 of a pound, 0.75 g) thus allows us to estimate that at the 1:12 gold:silver ratio of the time the solidus (1/72 of a pound, 4.5 g, thus six times heavier than the one-third siliqua), was equivalent to (6 × 12) × 5 = 360 folles. See J. Durliat, “La valeur relative de l’or, de l’argent et du cuivre dans l’empire protobyzantin (IVe–VIII siècle),” 146, and “Taxes sur l’entrée des marchandises dans la cité de Carales-Cagliari à l’époque byzantine (582–602),” 9–10.
MIBEC 144, no. 62 (dated to the lustrum 592–597).
J. Sabatier, Description générale des monnaies byzantines frappées sous les empereurs d’Orient depuis Arcadius jusqu’ à la prise de Constantinople par Mahomet II, 2:42, nos. 6–7.