Iconography Byzantine coinage

solidus of justinian ii, second reign, after 705

early byzantine coins continue late roman conventions: on obverse head of emperor, full face rather in profile, , on reverse, christian symbol such cross, or victory or angel (the 2 tending merge 1 another). gold coins of justinian ii departed these stable conventions putting bust of christ on obverse, , half or full-length portrait of emperor on reverse. these innovations incidentally had effect of leading islamic caliph abd al-malik, had copied byzantine styles replacing christian symbols islamic equivalents, develop distinctive islamic style, lettering on both sides. used on islamic coinage until modern period.

anastasius 40 nummi (m) , 5 nummi (e)

the type of justinian ii revived after end of iconoclasm, , variations remained norm until end of empire.

in 10th century, so-called anonymous folles struck instead of earlier coins depicting emperor. anonymous folles featured bust of jesus on obverse , inscription xristus/basileu/basile , translates christ, emperor of emperors

byzantine coins followed, , took furthest extreme, tendency of precious metal coinage thinner , wider time goes on. late byzantine gold coins became thin wafers bent hand.

the byzantine coinage had prestige lasted until near end of empire. european rulers, once again started issuing own coins, tended follow simplified version of byzantine patterns, full face ruler portraits on obverse.

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