Gold nomisma (hyperpyron)
Coin (Nomismata)
1118-ca. 1122 (made)
1118-ca. 1122 (made)
Artist/Maker | |
Place of origin |
The Emperor John II Comnenos extended the trading rights of the Venetians and Genoans in Constantinople, and vigorously pursued military campaigns againts the Seljuk Turks, the Hungarian kingdom, the Serbs and the Normans in Sicily.
His coinage continued the new denominations instituted by his father, Alexius I. The presence of Christ on the obverse of this coin, and the fact that the Emperor appears on the reverse standing next to the Virgin Mary, both of them supporting a crucifix, emphasises in the clearest possible way the legitimacy and semi-divine nature of John II's rule.
His coinage continued the new denominations instituted by his father, Alexius I. The presence of Christ on the obverse of this coin, and the fact that the Emperor appears on the reverse standing next to the Virgin Mary, both of them supporting a crucifix, emphasises in the clearest possible way the legitimacy and semi-divine nature of John II's rule.
Object details
Categories | |
Object type | |
Title | Gold nomisma (hyperpyron) (generic title) |
Materials and techniques | Gold, struck |
Brief description | Coin, gold scyphate hyperpyron, The Emperor John II Comnenus, Constantinople, ca. 1118-1143 |
Physical description | On the obverse, the bearded Christ sits on a throne. He raises his right hand in a blessing gesture, and holds a book in his left hand. He has a cross nimbus. The border consists of a double row of dots. On the reverse, the emperor John II stands facing outwards, next to the Virgin. Between them, they hold a cross. Above, the hand of God crowns John. John wears a crown surmounted by a cross, jewelled robe and mantle. The Virgin wears a veil, tunic and mantle. Her left hand is raised in a blessing gesture. |
Dimensions |
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Marks and inscriptions |
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Credit line | Bequeathed by Miss Bessie Casson |
Object history | Nothing is known of the history of this piece before it was bequeathed to the museum by a collector. Historical significance: The presence of Christ on the obverse of this coin, and the fact that the Emperor appears on the reverse standing next to the Virgin Mary, both of them supporting a crucifix, emphasises in the clearest possible way the legitimacy and semi-divine nature of John II's rule. |
Historical context | The Emperor John II Comnenos was the son of Alexius I, and carried on many of his father's policies. He extended the trading rights of the Venetians and Genoans in Constantinople, and vigorously pursued military campaigns againts the Seljuk Turks, the Hungarian kingdom, the Serbs and the Normans in Sicily. His coinage continued the new denominations instituted by his father. The design of this, John's first issue of a hyperpyron, differs from his father's in showing him with the Virgin Mary. |
Production | This hyperpyron follows the design of John II's first coinage. |
Subjects depicted | |
Summary | The Emperor John II Comnenos extended the trading rights of the Venetians and Genoans in Constantinople, and vigorously pursued military campaigns againts the Seljuk Turks, the Hungarian kingdom, the Serbs and the Normans in Sicily. His coinage continued the new denominations instituted by his father, Alexius I. The presence of Christ on the obverse of this coin, and the fact that the Emperor appears on the reverse standing next to the Virgin Mary, both of them supporting a crucifix, emphasises in the clearest possible way the legitimacy and semi-divine nature of John II's rule. |
Collection | |
Accession number | A.11-1960 |
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Record created | November 8, 2005 |
Record URL |
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