© tdziemia (CC BY-NC-SA)
© tdziemia (CC BY-NC-SA)
Aspron Trachy - Manuel I Komnenos ND
| Electrum | 4.6 g | 31 mm |
| Issuer | Byzantine Empire (Byzantine states) |
|---|---|
| Emperor | Manuel I Komnenos Porphyrogennetos (1143-1180) |
| Type | Standard circulation coin |
| Years | 1160-1164 |
| Value | Aspron Trachy (1⁄120) |
| Currency | First Hyperpyron Nomisma (1092-cca. 1300) |
| Composition | Electrum |
| Weight | 4.6 g |
| Diameter | 31 mm |
| Shape | Concave |
| Technique | Hammered (scyphate) |
| Orientation | Variable alignment ↺ |
| Demonetized | Yes |
| Updated | 2024-10-04 |
| Numista | N#302385 |
|---|---|
| Rarity index | 84% |
Reverse
Manuel and St. Theodore standing, facing each other, each with hand atop their sword, and together holding patriarchal cross atop globus
Lettering: MANOUHΛ (left) O ΘЄΟΔѠΡOS (right)
Comment
Variants exist for reverse lettering.The weight and diameter are the median for 15 examples sold at Roma Numismatics in two e-auctions in July 2021.
Interesting fact
One interesting fact about the Aspron Trachy coin is that it features a unique blend of Christian and ancient Greek imagery. The obverse side of the coin depicts a bust of Manuel I Komnenos, the Byzantine emperor at the time, while the reverse side features a representation of the Virgin Mary holding the Christ child, surrounded by angels and symbols of the four evangelists. This blending of religious and classical motifs reflects the complex cultural and religious landscape of the Byzantine Empire during this period.
