Copper scyphate coin, Thessalonica mint
- Metal
- Copper
- Mint
- Thessalonica
- Diameter
- 26 mm
- Weight
- 2.8 g
- Rarity
- R9 — between 5 and 15 known
Obverse
Bust of Jesus Christ, beardless (Emmanuel), with a nimbus around the head, in which a cross is inscribed. On each arm of the cross are placed five dots, and sometimes in the empty fields between the arms - one dot. Christ is dressed in a chiton and sindon. In His left hand He holds a Gospel, and with His right He blesses before His chest. In the field on both sides are inscribed the initials ІС - ХС, with the ligature above the letters in three variants: Ω
Reverse
The Tsar, on the left, and St. Demetrius, full-length, hold a cross with rays resembling an eight-pointed star. Ioan Asen wears a crown with pendilia and a short beard. He is dressed in a maniakion, divitision, and himation. The loros is draped over his left arm, and with his right he holds a sceptre with a cross. The saint has a nimbus, is beardless, dressed in a short military tunic, chainmail, and sagion. In his left hand he holds a sword pointed downwards. Vertical inscription in the two fields: IW/АС/Ъ/N/Ъ/Ч - СТ/ДI/М/HT/PI/Є.
Reconstructions
Line drawings reconstructing the coin's design from the surviving specimens.
Also struck by Ivan Asen II
Coin photographs and reconstruction drawings from A. Radushev & G. Zhekov, Catalogue of Bulgarian Medieval Coins IX–XV c. (Agató, 1999).