Basil I and Constantine (869–79)
Obverse
Half-length representation of Christ, largely missing: only his right shoulder and the right transverse bar of the cross behind his head are visible. Remains of a circular inscription at right. Border of dots.
......RISOS
[Iηsus Χ]ristos.
Reverse
Two half-length figures, only the left one visible: Basil I, bearded, wearing a crown surmounted by a cross and a loros. Constantine, at right, is lost, but the left-most portion of the labarum held between them is visible. Remains of a circular inscription at left. Border of dots.
ASILIOSE............
Basilios et C[onstant(inos) aug(usti)].
Obverse
Half-length representation of Christ, largely missing: only his right shoulder and the right transverse bar of the cross behind his head are visible. Remains of a circular inscription at right. Border of dots.
......RISOS
[Iηsus Χ]ristos.
Reverse
Two half-length figures, only the left one visible: Basil I, bearded, wearing a crown surmounted by a cross and a loros. Constantine, at right, is lost, but the left-most portion of the labarum held between them is visible. Remains of a circular inscription at left. Border of dots.
ASILIOSE............
Basilios et C[onstant(inos) aug(usti)].
| Accession number | BZS.1955.1.4289 (formerly DO 55.1.4289) |
|---|---|
| Diameter | 27.0 mm |
| Previous Editions | DO Seals 6, no. 51.7. |
Translation
Iηsus Χristos.
Basilios et Constantinos augusti.
Jesus Christ.
Basil and Constantine, augusti.
Bibliography
- Catalogue of Byzantine Seals at Dumbarton Oaks and in the Fogg Museum of Art, Vol. 6, Emperors, Patriarchs of Constantinople, Addenda (Open in Zotero)
- Catalogue of the Byzantine Coins in the Dumbarton Oaks Collection and in the Whittemore Collection, Vol. 3, Leo III to Nicephorus III (717–1081) (Open in Zotero)
- Catalogue des monnaies byzantines de la Bibliothèque nationale (Open in Zotero)
Commentary
On solidi dating from Basil’s joint reign with Constantine, the obverse depicts Christ seated on a lyre-backed throne, while on the reverse are Basil to left and Constantine to right, holding between them a patriarchal cross on long shaft. Basil wears a loros, and Constantine a chlamys (DOC 3.2:2a1 [pl. 30]). In common with the coinage as well is the employment of "augusti," present on the class 2 solidus as well as class 2d follis (DOC 3.2:9d.1 [pl. 31]).
Grierson explains the awkward relationship between the chronology of coinage and the depiction of Basil’s co-emperors in terms of the former's antipathy towards his middle son, Leo. Dating here follows that of the class 2 solidus, up to Constantine’s death in 879, rather than the class 2 follis, which includes Leo after his association with Basil in 870, and reflects the degree to which the design of imperial seals followed that of the solidus.
The labarum, decorated with a cross in center and streamers, is found on folles minted at Constantinople in the name of Basil I and Constantine and attributed by Grierson to the years 868–70 (see: DOC 3.2:8a.1–8a.4, and the table at BNC 2: p. 538).