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Alexios I Komnenos, Billon, Stamenon, Philippopolis, 1081-1118

 
 

Obverse

Christ, bearded and nimbate, wearing tunic and kolobion, seated upon backless throne. Gospels in right hand.

KEROHΘ-[ΛΛ]E

Reverse

Alexios I Komnenos standing, wearing divitision, collar-piece, and paneled loros of simplified type. Scepter with large labarum with cross inside as head. Left inscription obscure.

TΩ|KO|

Obverse

Christ, bearded and nimbate, wearing tunic and kolobion, seated upon backless throne. Gospels in right hand.

KEROHΘ-[ΛΛ]E

Reverse

Alexios I Komnenos standing, wearing divitision, collar-piece, and paneled loros of simplified type. Scepter with large labarum with cross inside as head. Left inscription obscure.

TΩ|KO|

Accession number BZC.2006.38
Catalogue ID as DOC 4.2:230, no. 31a
Ruler Alexios I Komnenos
Date of Reign 1081–1118
Metal Billon
Denomination Stamenon
Mint Philippopolis
Date 10811118
Diameter 22.0 mm
Weight 3.37 g
Relation of Dies 6:00
Shape Flat

Commentary

This coin is a silver-surfaced billon trachy stamenon. As DOC 4.1:230, no. 31a, but this one still silverish. See also D. R. Sear, Byzantine Coins and Their Values, no. 1936.

According to Pagona Papadopoulou, the distribution of coin finds of this type points to their having been issued from a mint located in Dobrudja (“De l’unité à l’éclatement: La monnaie et son usage dans le monde byzantin (1092–1261),” 106, 112, and 127). She distinguishes between the hyperpyra of coarse style (DOC 4.1:22–23, nos. 20o–q) that were probably struck in Philippopolis, at the center of the Macedonian theme, during the visit of Alexios I in 1093–1094, and the present stamenon, which is found more frequently in Dobrudja (79 examples) than in Bulgaria (27). These were probably issued in Isaccea, in the theme of Paristrion, to implement the monetary reform in 1092–1095 and provide for the needs of the military stationed there to face the Cuman attacks. 

Acquisition History

A. H. Baldwin's Stock, 19 October 2006