Byzantine Bronze Follis - Constantinople 1028-1034 AD - Romanus III

Byzantine Bronze Follis - Constantinople 1028-1034 AD - Romanus III - bASILE

• Obverse: + EMM[A NOVH?] / IC X[C], Bust of Christ facing, holding book of Gospels and wearing nimbus cruciger; square in each arm of cross; four pellets around one pellet in centre on book of
• Reverse: IS XC bASILE bASILE, legend in three lines divided by cross set on three steps.
• Date: 1028-1034 AD
• Size: 29.4 mm, 10.2 g
• Composition: Bronze
• Reference: SB 1823
• Internal SKU: 144X911

HISTORICAL NOTE: This striking Byzantine Bronze Follis from the reign of Romanus III, minted in Constantinople between 1028 and 1034 AD, offers a fascinating glimpse into a pivotal era of Byzantine history. Romanus III, who ascended to the throne through marriage to the influential Zoë Porphyrogenita and was known for his attempts to restore the imperial family's power, faced military pressures from the expanding Seljuk Turks and internal strife among the nobility. The coin's inscription, "bASILE," a stylization of "Basileus" or "King", underscores the divine right of emperors in this deeply religious society. During Romanus's reign, Constantinople thrived as a center of trade and culture, showcasing the richness of Byzantine craftsmanship, making this follis not only a piece of currency but also a testament to the grandeur of a civilization poised at the crossroads of Europe and Asia.