© Bulgaria1999
© Bulgaria1999
Aspron Trachy - Alexios I Komnenos ND
| Billon | 2.6 g | 28 mm |
| Issuer | Byzantine Empire (Byzantine states) |
|---|---|
| Emperor | Alexios I Komnenos (1081-1118) |
| Type | Standard circulation coin |
| Years | 1081-1118 |
| Value | Aspron Trachy (1⁄48) |
| Currency | First Hyperpyron Nomisma (1092-cca. 1300) |
| Composition | Billon |
| Weight | 2.6 g |
| Diameter | 28 mm |
| Shape | Concave |
| Technique | Hammered (scyphate) |
| Demonetized | Yes |
| Updated | 2024-10-04 |
| Numista | N#173837 |
|---|---|
| Rarity index | 85% |
Reverse
Crowned bust of Alexius I facing, wearing jewelled chlamys, holding cross-tipped sceptre with left hand and globus cruciger with right hand.
Lettering: ΑΛεΖΙω ΔεCΠτ
Translation: Alexius despot
Comment
Reverse lettering varies (many truncated variants known).Interesting fact
One interesting fact about the Aspron Trachy coin is that it was used as a means of propaganda by the Byzantine Empire. The coin features an image of Alexios I Komnenos, the emperor at the time, and his title "Alexios the Great" on the obverse side, while the reverse side depicts the Virgin Mary and the Christ child. This was a deliberate attempt by the empire to promote the idea of the emperor as a divine ruler, appointed by God, and to reinforce the idea of the Byzantine Empire as a Christian empire.
