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View: Obverse

Hyperpyron (reverse) with standing Alexius I

Byzantine, Constantinople or Thessalonike
Reign of Alexius I
A.D. 1092/93–1118
Mint: Constantinople; Mint: Thessaloniki

Medium/Technique Gold
Dimensions Diameter: 30 mm; Weight: 4.19 gm; Die Axis: 6
Credit Line Anonymous gift in memory of Zoë Wilbour (1864–1885)
Accession Number35.425
CollectionsEurope
ClassificationsNumismaticsCoins

DescriptionObverse: +KERO HΘΕΙ IX XC in upper field. Christ, bearded and nimbate, wearing tunic and kolobion, seated upon throne without back; r. hand raised in benediction, holds Gospels in l.

Reverse: ΛΛCIIWΔCCΠOTH TWΚOMNHNW, in two columnar groups. Full-length figure of emperor wearing stemma, divitision, and chalmys (no diagonal fold, and exaggerated jeweling); holds in r. hand labarum-headed scepter, and in l., gl. cr. Manus Dei in upper r. field

Alexius I introduced the hyperpyron as part of a monetary reform intended to address the currency debasement in the 11th century.
Provenance1935, anonymous gift to the MFA. (Accession Date: April 4, 1935)