Andronicus II reforms Byzantine coinage

billon trachy of andronicus i, 12th century

during andronicus ii s reign instituted new coinage based on hyperpyron. silver miliaresion or basilika @ 12 hyperpyron , billon politika @ 96 per hyperpyron. along copper assaria, tournesia , follara basilikon copy of venetian ducat , circulated since 1304 fifty years.

the hyperpyron remained in regular issue , circulation until 1350s, remaining in use thereafter money of account. after 1400, byzantine coinage became insignificant, italian money became predominant circulating coinage.

these scyphate (cup-shaped) coins known trachy issued in both electrum (debased gold) , billon (debased silver). exact reason such coins not known, although theorized shaped easier stacking.