Byzantine Coins
Explore the magnificent coinage of the Byzantine Empire, featuring imperial portraits, Christian symbolism, and the rich heritage of the Eastern Roman Empire from Constantinople.
Byzantine Dynasties
Justinian Dynasty
518-602 AD. Golden age featuring Justinian I and Theodora, known for gold solidus and extensive coinage reforms.
View Justinian CoinsHeraclian Dynasty
610-711 AD. Coins from the Arab conquest period featuring Heraclius and his sons with cross potent symbols.
View Heraclian CoinsMacedonian Dynasty
867-1056 AD. Renaissance period with Basil I and Basil II, featuring anonymous folles and imperial portraits.
View Macedonian CoinsPalaiologos Dynasty
1261-1453 AD. Final dynasty before the fall of Constantinople, featuring basilikon and stavraton coins.
View Palaiologos CoinsFeatured Byzantine Coins
Justinian I Solidus
Gold coin with facing portrait, 6th century AD
Early Byzantine
Basil II Nomisma
Gold histamenon with Christ portrait, 11th century
Middle Byzantine
Anonymous Follis
Bronze coin with Christogram, 10th-11th century
Macedonian EraByzantine Coin Types
Solidus
The standard gold coin of the Byzantine Empire, maintaining consistent weight and purity for centuries.
Histamenon
Thinner gold coin introduced in 10th century, featuring Christ and Virgin Mary portraits.
Follis
Large bronze coin for everyday transactions, often featuring imperial portraits and crosses.
Half-Follis
Smaller bronze denomination with Christian symbols and imperial monograms.
Byzantine Christian Symbols
Cross Potent
Jerusalem cross symbolizing Christ's power and Byzantine imperial authority.
Imperial Crown
Representing the divine right of emperors and their role as God's representatives.
Gospel Book
Symbol of Christian faith and the emperor's role as defender of Orthodoxy.
Chi-Rho
Christogram combining first two Greek letters of Christ's name.
Byzantine Historical Timeline
Foundation of Constantinople
Emperor Constantine establishes new capital, beginning Byzantine era
Justinian's Reign
Golden age with extensive coinage reforms and solidus standardization
Macedonian Renaissance
Period of cultural and economic revival with anonymous folles
Fall of Constantinople
End of Byzantine Empire and its coinage tradition
Byzantine Coins FAQ
Byzantine coins provide crucial evidence about imperial succession, economic policies, religious developments, and artistic styles across a millennium of history. Their consistent gold content made them the dollar of the medieval world.
Byzantine coins feature Christian symbolism, frontal imperial portraits, Greek inscriptions, and increasingly stylized designs. Unlike Roman coins, they rarely depict pagan gods and emphasize the emperor's divine authority and Orthodox Christianity.
Byzantine coinage evolved from classical Roman styles to highly stylized Christian art. Gold solidus remained stable, while bronze coinage underwent multiple reforms. Later periods saw debasement of gold and introduction of new denominations like the hyperpyron.
Gold solidus of Justinian I, anonymous folles with Christ portraits, histamenon of Basil II, and silver miliaresion are highly collectible. Coins from important historical events or rare emperors command premium prices.