Copper scyphate coin, Tarnovo mint — 22 mm · 1.8 g
- Metal
- Copper
- Mint
- Tarnovo
- Diameter
- 22 mm
- Weight
- 1.8 g
- Rarity
- R10 — fewer than 5 known — regarded as unique
Obverse
Jesus Christ with beard and moustache, seated on a throne without a backrest. He is dressed in a chiton and sindon, and around His head there is a nimbus with a cross inscribed in it. On each shoulder is depicted a pearl. With His left hand He holds a Gospel resting on His knee, and with His right He blesses in front of His chest.
Reverse
Tsar Michael Asen, standing, clean-shaven, wearing a trapezoidal crown with pendilia. He is dressed in a sakkos and maniakion, studded with pearls. Above the elbows is a peribrachion, and the loros passes freely at an angle in front of the body and ends thrown over the right hand, with which He holds the anexikakia (?). Around his head there is a nimbus, and on his shoulders angelic wings. In the left field is the letter M, and in the right most likely the abbreviation of the title царѫ - ϸ.
Reconstructions
Line drawings reconstructing the coin's design from the surviving specimens.
Also struck by Michael II Asen
Coin photographs and reconstruction drawings from A. Radushev & G. Zhekov, Catalogue of Bulgarian Medieval Coins IX–XV c. (Agató, 1999).