Byzantine Gold Coin

The history of the Byzantine gold coin dates to the christian roman empire which flourished mainly in the medieval period. It was established by the emperor Constantine who changed the location of the capital city to Constantinople on the site of the ancient city of Byzantium. Constantine introduced the "solidus" coin in AD 309-310. That coin became part of one the most stable trading currencies in the ancient world.

The look of the Byzantine coins came from the gold coins of the Roman Empire. But the Byzantines elevated the artistry even farther when they designed their beautiful coins. Even today these coins are among the most sought after coins in collectors' circles.

byzantine gold coin 003

http://monetaoro.unicatt.it/referenze.htm

Christian Roman Empire Coins

http://monetaoro.unicatt.it/referenze.htm

Byzantine gold coins have tremendous historical and cultural significance to the western world. They were the first coins to show the face of Jesus Christ. The Byzantine Roman empire was Christian at this time. The other side of the coin showed the head of the emperor so as to signify the importance placed on both church and state. The Byzantines were also the first to produce commemorative coin sets with coins that celebrated famous military battles. These coins are incredibly rare but occasionally do turn up during excavation work in the middle east.

http://monetaoro.unicatt.it/referenze.htm

The impact of Byzantine coins is felt all over the world as much of the terminology for our western currencies derive from the Byzantine Solidus coin. The word "Soldier" comes from the Solidus coins that were use to pay the Byzantine Roman Military. Solidus is also the root of our word "salary". The old english shilling was abbreviated "s" but that actually was derived from the latin "solidus". The Italians use "soldi" from solidus as an equivalent word to the english "money"

Byzantine Gold Coin Discoveries

In July of 2007, Archaeologists found a hord of byzantine treasure in the medieval fortress of Markely being excavated near Karnobat in Eastern Bulgaria.

The local museum's director, Dimcho Momchilov, announced that the discovery consisted of 37 gold coins from three seperate Byzantine emperors. The find also turned up a golden ring and five gilt loops all hidden inside a simple clay pot.

"Treasures like this are rare for Bulgaria", explained Dr. Dochka Aladjova, science assistant in charge of the Archaeological Institute of the Bulgarian Science Academy.Ms. Aladjova said the treasure could be many thousands of euros.

Finding coins from three different byzantine emperors is also very unusual. The coins found showed the faces of the following byzantine rulers. The most valuable were said to be the four coins of Aleksii I Komnin.

31 coins from Nikifor III Votaniat, 1078 AD - 1081 AD

4 coins showing Aleksii I Komnin , 1092 AD - 1118 AD

2 coins with Joan II Komnin, 1118 AD - 1143 AD

Buying Byzantine Gold

Byzantine coins are said to be a bargain by many coin experts. Check some of the listings below for Byzantine coins available on Ebay. Care should be exercised because there are many reproductions of these coins available and only a coin expert will be able to tell the difference between a real coin and a copy. Deal only with vendors you know and trust. See my pages on buying gold coins to learn how to assess Ebay coin vendors.

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