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Uncertain Authority, Copper, Follis, Uncertain Mint, 1077-1078

 
 

Obverse

Frontal bust of Christ. To left and right, IC̅ XC̅. Details obscure. Struck over reverse of class E anonymous follis, the top right XS and the -u- beneath the inscription being visible.

Reverse

Patriarchal cross on base. [IC̅] XC̅ above and NI̅ KA̅ below. Struck over obverse of class E anonymous folles, the upper part of the cross nimbus with one pellet in cross arm being visible.

Obverse

Frontal bust of Christ. To left and right, IC̅ XC̅. Details obscure. Struck over reverse of class E anonymous follis, the top right XS and the -u- beneath the inscription being visible.

Reverse

Patriarchal cross on base. [IC̅] XC̅ above and NI̅ KA̅ below. Struck over obverse of class E anonymous folles, the upper part of the cross nimbus with one pellet in cross arm being visible.

Accession number BZC.1974.5.19
Ruler Uncertain Authority
Associated Authority Nikephoros Basilakes
Nikephoros Bryennios
Metal Copper
Denomination Follis
Mint Uncertain Mint
Date 10771078
Diameter 28.0 mm
Weight 8.27 g
Relation of Dies 6:00
Shape Flat
Undertype

Class E anonymous follis

Commentary

Another specimen where no obverse inscription could be read, was described as a class N anonymous follis in DOC 3.2:706, no. N1. The accession in 1974 of three further specimens of this type showing  traces of the name of an uncertain Nikephoros on the obverse, surprisingly around the bust of Christ, as here, led Grierson (“Nicephorus Bryennius or Nicephorus Basilacius?”) to attribute the whole group to one of the contemporary rebels named Nikephoros: Bryennios or Basilakios. The initial letters on this specimen’s obverse are hardly legible except for V at the end of the legend. Grierson concluded: “until a further specimen turns up, with the last word of the inscription fully legible, I think one must suspend judgment on the matter.”

P. Grierson, “Nicephorus Bryennius or Nicephorus Basilacius?,” 2, fig. b.

Acquisition History

Purchased from Henry Weller, 19 April 1974