Authentic Byzantine Bronze Coin of Constantine VII and Romanus I (913-959 AD) - AE Follis, Constantinople - NGC Choice Fine Grade

Constantine VII ruled the Eastern Roman (Byzantine) Empire from 913 to 959 AD alongside his co-emperor Romanus I, who exerted considerable influence during their shared reign and initially overshadowed the younger Constantine. This Follis, minted between 931-944 CE in Constantinople, represents the direct continuation of Roman imperial tradition and Roman numismatic heritage. The Byzantines considered themselves Romans and referred to their empire as the Roman Empire, with the term "Byzantine" being a retrospective designation coined by historians after the empire's fall in 1453 CE to differentiate it from the earlier Rome-centered empire.

Coin Specifications:

• Historical Context: This bronze Follis demonstrates the complex power dynamics of joint imperial rule during the mid-10th century, featuring the standard copper denomination that originated in the Roman monetary system and served as essential currency for everyday transactions throughout the empire. The coinage reflects the shifting political relationships between Constantine VII and the influential Romanus I, whose image eventually dominated imperial currency as he prepared for greater authority within the Roman imperial hierarchy.
• Artistic Elements: The obverse typically displays a crowned and draped bust of either Romanus I or a co-regency image, holding imperial regalia including the labarum-scepter (a standard bearing the Chi-Rho symbol) and the globus cruciger (cross-topped orb), symbolizing Christian Roman authority. The reverse features a four-line legend incorporating the names and titles of both emperors, emphasizing their joint Roman imperial identity and divine sanction to rule as legitimate successors to the Roman throne.
• Authentication & Grade: NGC has certified this overstruck specimen as Choice Fine condition, guaranteeing authenticity of this significant artifact from a pivotal period in the Macedonian Dynasty's rule, preserved for over 1,000 years with excellent detail preservation and well-struck imperial portraits. The overstriking represents the empire's practical approach to currency production, reusing existing bronze flans to create new imperial issues during this economically active period.

Collector Appeal:

• Political Intrigue: Own an authentic piece from one of the most politically complex periods in Roman imperial history, where the interplay between Constantine VII and Romanus I created fascinating numismatic variations that reflected the evolving power structure within the continuing Roman Empire.
• Roman Imperial Continuity: This coin represents authentic Roman imperial currency, as Constantine VII and Romanus I were Roman emperors within the Byzantine tradition, ruling an empire that maintained unbroken continuity from Augustus through the establishment and evolution of the Eastern Roman state.

Key Features:

• Dynastic Evolution: Witness how Roman imperial coinage adapted to complex co-regency arrangements during the Macedonian Dynasty, showcasing the empire's flexibility in maintaining imperial legitimacy while accommodating shifting political realities and succession challenges.
• Numismatic Heritage: Examine how this overstruck Follis exemplifies both the continuation of Roman coinage traditions and the practical economics of imperial minting, where existing bronze coins were reused as flans for new issues. The overstriking process demonstrates the empire's efficient resource management while maintaining the Roman monetary system's integrity and the iconography's connection to centuries of Roman imperial numismatics.
• Collection Premium: Perfect for collectors of Byzantine coinage, Macedonian Dynasty artifacts, or Roman imperial succession pieces, these Constantinople-minted Follis coins offer exceptional historical significance as tangible evidence of the empire's sophisticated approach to shared imperial authority while maintaining Roman traditions and identity.