Byzantine Coins: Why These Ancient Treasures Still Matter
Why collect Byzantine coins? Well, here it is a personal guide to the coins of the Eastern Roman Empire. So, the Byzantine coins aren’t just old gold — they’re powerful relics of faith, empire, and real history. Here’s how to spot them, collect them, and understand their lasting story.
The first time I held a Byzantine gold solidus, I remember thinking, this coin has seen more history than I could read in a lifetime.
It was warm from my hand, but the details were still crisp — a stern-faced emperor staring right at me, Christ on the other side, blessing the empire. It wasn’t just a coin. It was a statement, struck in gold, that had traveled through markets, across seas, maybe even through a palace treasury before ending up in mine.
Byzantine coins have that effect. They don’t try to imitate the lifelike portraits of Greek or Roman art. Instead, they lean into their own identity — front-facing rulers, bold religious symbols, inscriptions that speak of faith as much as power. They are the voice of an empire that lasted for over a thousand years.
✋ Wait, What’s a Byzantine Coin?
I’ll be honest — the first time I held a Byzantine coin, I had no clue what I was looking at.
The face was staring straight at me (unusual), the inscriptions weren’t in Latin like Roman coins, and the whole thing had this deep, rich patina. It didn’t feel like just another ancient coin — it felt like something sacred.
Turns out, that’s what makes Byzantine coins so fascinating.
They come from the Eastern Roman Empire, based in Constantinople (modern-day Istanbul), and they stuck around long after Rome fell in the West. We’re talking nearly a thousand years of coinage — from Emperor Anastasius in the late 400s to the fall of Constantinople in 1453.
What Makes These Coins So Unique?
A few things set Byzantine coins apart from your typical Roman or Greek pieces:
1. The Faces
Emperors on Byzantine coins aren’t shown in profile — they’re face-forward, often wide-eyed and holding a cross or orb. Sometimes, they’re standing, with full regalia.
2. The Faith
Byzantine coins were some of the first to regularly feature Jesus Christ, the Virgin Mary, and prominent Christian symbols like the cross and Chi-Rho. This was a major shift from the pagan imagery of earlier Roman coins.
3. The Shapes
In the later period (12th–14th centuries), many coins became scyphate — curved like tiny bowls. Weird? Yes. Beautiful? Also yes.
How to Tell If You’ve Got a Byzantine Coin
Here’s what I do when I’m trying to figure it out:
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Check the script: Most are in Greek, not Latin. Look for things like “IhS XPS” (Jesus Christ) or “BASILEUS” (emperor).
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Who’s on the coin? If it’s a bearded man holding a cross, chances are it’s a Byzantine emperor or Christ himself.
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Gold? Could be a solidus or hyperpyron.
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Bronze? Likely a follis, especially if it has a huge “M” on the reverse.
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Silver? That might be a miliaresion, though silver coins were less common.
Most of the time, if the coin looks front-facing, spiritual, and kinda crude but powerful, it’s Byzantine.
Which Emperors Are Worth Watching?
Here are a few heavy-hitters if you’re just starting out:
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Justinian I (527–565) – Big name, easy to find, and his solidi are everywhere.
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Heraclius (610–641) – Famously minted coins with his sons standing beside him.
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Basil II (976–1025) – His coins often show Christ Pantocrator on the front — absolutely stunning.
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Michael VIII (1259–1282) – His coins marked the Byzantine comeback after Latin rule.
Each of these guys left their mark, not just in history books but in metal.
A New Capital, A New Identity
The story starts in 330 CE, when Constantine the Great moved Rome’s center of gravity east to a city called Byzantium, renaming it Constantinople. The Western Empire fell in the 5th century, but in the East, life — and coinage — went on.
Early Byzantine coins still looked a lot like late Roman issues, but over time, they took on a character of their own. Gold became the empire’s calling card, and the solidus became the currency every merchant wanted to see.
The Solidus – Gold Without Compromise
The solidus wasn’t just a coin. It was a promise that never broke.
For nearly 700 years, it kept the same weight and nearly the same purity — a consistency no modern currency can boast. Traders from Africa, the Middle East, and Europe accepted it without question. Diplomats used it as gifts. Armies were paid with it.
Hold one in your hand and you’ll see why collectors love them — bright, heavy for their size, and often carrying the image of an emperor who ruled over three continents.
Symbols of Faith and Power
If you’re used to the sharp, realistic busts of Roman coins, Byzantine designs feel different.
Emperors are shown head-on, holding a cross or a globus cruciger — a globe topped with a cross, symbolizing Christian dominion over the world.
Flip the coin, and you might find:
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Christ seated on a throne.
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A cross potent rising from steps.
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An angel of victory.
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Bold inscriptions in Greek or Latin proclaiming the emperor’s authority.
These coins weren’t shy about their message: God backs the empire, and the emperor rules by divine right.
The Coins of Everyday Life
Not all Byzantine coins glittered with gold.
The markets ran on bronze, often large and practical. The follis — especially the ones marked with a big “M” for 40 nummi — is a favorite for new collectors. They’re chunky, sometimes rough, but they carry a certain charm.
Silver coins, like the miliaresion, were struck in smaller numbers but often feature elegant designs and clean inscriptions, making them a satisfying addition to any collection.
Why Collect Byzantine Coins?
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A Long Story to Explore – More than a millennium of rulers, battles, and cultural change.
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Distinctive Religious Art – A style found nowhere else in ancient or medieval coinage.
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Gold That Endures – The solidus is a marvel of economic stability.
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Affordable Entry Points – Common bronzes make it easy to start.
Collecting Tips from Experience
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Pick your metal: gold for prestige, bronze for accessibility, silver for elegance.
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Learn the emperors — there were over 90 of them, and their portraits can be subtle.
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When buying gold, be extra cautious about authenticity; the high value attracts fakes.
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Don’t ignore bronze — a well-preserved follis can tell just as much history as a gold coin.
(Read our [Authentication Guide] – link placeholder)
What Drives Value
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Metal – Gold tops the list, followed by silver, then bronze.
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Condition – Sharp details, clear inscriptions, and strong strikes always fetch more.
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Historical Significance – Coins linked to major events or rare emperors stand out.
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Provenance – A recorded history of ownership adds trust and desirability.
Caring for Your Byzantine Coins
Patina on bronze, luster on gold — leave it as it is. Cleaning strips away history and value.
Store them in inert holders or capsules, keep them away from moisture, and handle them by the edges.
(Read our [Preservation & Storage Guide] – link placeholder)
Coins You’ll Want to Know
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Solidus of Justinian I – The classic gold standard of the empire.
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Follis of Heraclius – Large, bold bronze with the emperor and his sons.
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Histamenon of Basil II – A beautiful gold piece with Christ facing.
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Miliaresion of Constantine VII – Striking silver with clean, simple elegance.
(See our [Coin Gallery] – link placeholder)
Where to Find Them
For gold and silver, stick to reputable auction houses and trusted dealers. Bronze coins can be found more widely but still require careful vetting. Look for sellers with a return policy and strong feedback from other collectors.
(Browse our [Byzantine Coin Collection] – link placeholder)
🔗 Helpful Reads:
- Illyria Coins Overview
Final Thoughts
Byzantine coins are the steady heartbeat of a civilization that refused to fade. They survived wars, sieges, and the rise and fall of kingdoms. They connected traders from distant lands, carried the emperor’s face across continents, and served as a constant reminder of faith and power.
Start with one coin — maybe a humble follis, maybe a glittering solidus — and you’ll quickly see why these coins have been treasured for centuries. They don’t just represent an empire; they represent endurance.
Explore More Ancient Coins
– Ancient Greek Coins – Artistry and innovation from the Hellenic world.
– Ancient Roman Coins – Power, propaganda, and empire.
– Illyrian Coins – Rare treasures from the Balkan crossroads.
– Ancient Coins Guide – Overview of ancient coinage across civilizations.