Uncertain Authority, Copper, Follis, Uncertain Mint, 1077-1078
Obverse
Frontal bust of Christ nimbate, raising right hand in benediction, holding book from beneath in left hand. Struck over obverse of class D anonymous follis, the legs of the seated figure of Christ being visible.
NI[K]HΦO-[
Reverse
Patriarchal cross on base. IC̅ XC̅ above and NI̅ KA̅ below.
Obverse
Frontal bust of Christ nimbate, raising right hand in benediction, holding book from beneath in left hand. Struck over obverse of class D anonymous follis, the legs of the seated figure of Christ being visible.
NI[K]HΦO-[
Reverse
Patriarchal cross on base. IC̅ XC̅ above and NI̅ KA̅ below.
| Accession number | BZC.1975.3.10 |
|---|---|
| Ruler | Uncertain Authority |
| Associated Authority | Nikephoros Basilakes Nikephoros Bryennios |
| Metal | Copper |
| Denomination | Follis |
| Mint | Uncertain Mint |
| Date | 1077 – 1078 |
| Diameter | 28.0 mm |
| Weight | 7.4 g |
| Relation of Dies | 6:00 |
| Shape | Flat |
| Undertype | Class D anonymous follis |
Acquisition History
Purchased from Henry Weller, 9 September 1975
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 the obverse after the first name are not legible on this specimen. 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. c.