Copper scyphate coin, unlocalised mint — Virgin Mary
- Metal
- Copper
- Diameter
- 28 mm
- Weight
- 2.3 g
- Rarity
- R1 — over 10,000 known
Obverse
The Virgin Mary, seated on a throne with a high backrest, with a nimbus around her head. She is dressed in a chiton and maphorion. She holds the Infant before her chest. In the field on both sides are the initials МР - ΘV. Below them there is sometimes a multi-rayed star, and on the shoulders of the throne - a pearl each.
Reverse
The Emperor, standing, three-quarter length, wearing a stemma with pendilia, divitision, maniakion, and loros. In His right hand He holds a sceptre with a cross, and in His left hand - anexikakia. Above His head is the blessing right hand of God. Inscription in several lines, often incomplete and with errors: ІСААКІОС - ДЄСПОТНЄ. The coin type reproduces the billon coinage of the Byzantine Emperor Isaac II Angelos.
Reconstructions
Line drawings reconstructing the coin's design from the surviving specimens.
Also struck by Imitative coinage
Coin photographs and reconstruction drawings from A. Radushev & G. Zhekov, Catalogue of Bulgarian Medieval Coins IX–XV c. (Agató, 1999).