Byzantine Coinage: From Solidus to Hyperpyron (4th–15th centuries)

1. Constantine I establishes the gold solidus

   Jan 1, 312Labels: Constantine I, Gold solidus

   • Solidus
   • Aureus

2. Anastasius I reforms bronze coinage (follis)

   Jan 1, 498Labels: Anastasius I, Follis

   • Kenyon
   • Byz W hrung

3. Tiberius II popularizes cross-on-steps solidus reverse

   Jan 1, 578Labels: Tiberius II, Cross-on-steps

   • Lawrence

4. Heraclius issues the silver hexagram

   Jan 1, 615Labels: Heraclius, Silver hexagram

   • Hexagram
   • Harvard

5. Justinian II places Christ on regular coinage

   Jan 1, 692Labels: Justinian II, Christ Pantokrator

   • SLAM
   • ANS

6. Leo III introduces the miliaresion silver coin

   Jan 1, 720Labels: Leo III, Miliaresion

   • Hexagram
   • Harvard

7. Nikephoros II introduces the gold tetarteron

   Jan 1, 963Labels: Nikephoros II, Tetarteron

   • Tetarteron
   • Histamenon

8. Basil II-era anonymous follis type circulates widely

   Jan 1, 976Labels: Basil II, Anonymous follis

   • ArtIC

9. Histamenon begins shift toward scyphate form

   Jan 1, 1034Labels: Histamenon, Scyphate

   • Nomisma
   • Solidus

10. Michael IV begins long debasement of gold coinage

    Jan 1, 1034Labels: Michael IV, Debasement

    • Byz Coinage
    • Nomisma

11. Alexios I replaces debased solidus with hyperpyron

    Jan 1, 1092Labels: Alexios I, Hyperpyron

    • Byz Coinage
    • Hyperpyron

12. Hyperpyron debases under Empire of Nicaea period

    Jan 1, 1204Labels: Empire of, Hyperpyron

    • Hyperpyron

13. Hyperpyron fineness declines under Michael VIII

    Jan 1, 1259Labels: Michael VIII, Hyperpyron

    • Hyperpyron

14. Hyperpyron reaches ~12 carats under Andronikos II

    Jan 1, 1282Labels: Andronikos II, Hyperpyron

    • Hyperpyron
    • CoinWeek

15. Last Byzantine gold hyperpyra struck under John VI

    Jan 1, 1352Labels: John VI, Last hyperpyra

    • Hyperpyron
    • IME