voulgaroktonou

Romanos II associated his sons Basil (II) and Constantine (VIII) with himself on the throne in 960 and 962 respectively, while they were infants. During the reigns of his two successors Nikephoros Phokas and John Tzimiskes, the two young Basileis were both kept in the background, under the care and watch of a succession of guardians. Following the death of Tzimiskes in 976, Basil II (976–1025) ruled with his brother Constantine VIII until Basil’s death in 1025. From then until his own death in 1028, Constantine ruled alone. The two brothers could not have been more dissimilar in temperament. Like their father Romanos II, Constantine was content to enjoy a life of imperial idleness. He was especially devoted to chariot racing and the theater; his brother Basil, on the other hand, was a ruler of action and ambition, and spent his entire reign initially quelling internal rebellions, and, internal stability having been restored, extending the empire’s frontiers, destroying the kingdom of Bulgaria and absorbing it into the empire. Under Basil’s reign, the medieval eastern Roman Empire reached the zenith of its extent and power. Basil was planning an aggressive action against Arab held Sicily and even the western empire when he died in 1025. Tetarteron, 4.22 gr. 19.8 mm. 7 hr. Sear 1806; DO 15b; BNP 19-20; BM 5-6; R. 1940. On the reverse, busts of Basil, bearded and his brother Constantine, beardless. They hold together a patriarchal cross. Miliaresion, 2.74 gr. 25.8 mm. 11 hr. Sear 1811; DO 18a; R. 1947. Busts of Basil and Constantine as before, on either side of a patriarchal cross on steps.

Although John I Tzimiskes, emperor (969–76) obtained the throne by betraying and murdering his patron Nikephoros Phokas, he, too, was an exceptional military leader and served the empire well during his reign. Under him, imperial forces scored notable victories in both the west, against Svjatoslav, prince of Kiev, and in the east, against the Fāṭimids, forcing Damascus to pay tribute and capturing Beirut. Perhaps worn out by a hard life spent in campaigning, he died in 976. Miliaresion, Constantinople, 969-76. 2.84 gr. 22. 5 mm. 1 hr. Sear 1792; DO 7a; BM 5; R. 1919. On the reverse appears a bust of John within a circle. As the coinage progresses later in the tenth century, the tall, elegant epigraphy of the legends on the miliaresia gives way to letters that are small and squat. In spite of the treacherous manner in which he obtained the throne, John’s piety is attested in our sources; this indeed is reflected in his abandonment of the imperial portrait and title from the bronze coinage, instituting a new series bearing a bust of Christ on the obverse and a religious inscription or bust of the Virgin on the reverse. Imperial portraiture on the bronze does not resume until the reign of Constantine X (1059-67).

Great! SO glad you mentioned Liutprand - he's a wonderful source.

Following the death of Romanos II in March 963, Nikephoros II Phokas was proclaimed emperor on July 2 by the support of the army, the military aristocracy, the church hierarchy, and with the support of the people of Constantinople. Soon thereafter he married Romanos’ widow Theophano, who had been acting as regent for her young sons Basil and Constantine. Under his competent leadership, the Byzantines retook vast eastern territories that had been lost centuries earlier to the Arabs. In addition, Cyprus was restored to the empire. However, these victories were won at great expense, which gradually caused him to lose the support of the people. Nikephoros was murdered on Dec. 10, 969, by a plot of his former supporters, including John Tzimiskes and his own wife Theophano. Miliaresion, Constantinople, 963-9. 2.51 gr. 22 mm. 6 hr. Sear 1781; DO 6; BNP 1-8; BM 6-7; R. 1913. Follis, Constantinople, 963-9. 7.92 gr. 23.3 mm. 6 hr. Sear 1783; DO 7; BNP 2-5; BM 9-12; R. 1915.

These are great coins, @Severus Alexander! Thanks for the kind words on the pattern. It's holed, but I like it.

Constantine VII, Porphyrogennetos, although the legitimate emperor since 913, had been kept in the shadows for over three decades by the aggrandizing Romanos I and his three sons. It was only on the popular reaction against the two surviving Lekapenoi following their deposition of their father in Dec. 944 / January 945, that the long suffering Augustus came into his own. Soon after this he created his son Romanos (II) co-Augustus and the two reigned together until Constantine’s death in 959. An ineffectual ruler himself, he was fortunate to rely on the services of the outstanding generals Nikephoros Phokas and John Tzimiskes, the former of whom would function as regent for his 2 sons and shortly thereafter attain the throne himself after Romanos’ death. Constantine’s talents and interests lay in intellectual and artistic pursuits. He contributed much to the systematization of knowledge and encouraged the compilation of encyclopedic works drawn from earlier sources; he also encouraged historical writing, although he is best remembered today for his works on the empire's administrative system and its foreign relations: De administrando imperio, De thematibus, and De ceremoniis. In addition to his literary interests, he was also a talented painter, and he keenly studied architecture; he is known to have engaged in carpentry, sculpting, as well as in gold- and silversmithing. On his father’s death in 959, Romanos (II) became sole Augustus; he reigned until his death in 963. Like other Basileis before him, Romanos was satisfied to enjoy the perks of the throne, while relegating its burdens to others, such as his minister Joseph Bringas, as well as to Nikephoros Phokas and John Tzimiskes. The real power behind the throne was his ambitious and ruthless second wife Theophano. He died of a hunting accident in 963. Romanos’ greatest gift to the Empire was his son Basil (II). Constantinople is the mint of the first three coins; that of the fourth is Cherson Solidus, 945-59. 4.36 gr. 20 mm. Sear 1751; DO 15; BNP 15-22; BM 60-61; R. 1905. The reverse features Constantine VII and his son Romanos II. Follis, 945-50. 6.14 gr. 26. 3 mm. 6 hr. Ser 1761; DO 26; BNP 55-64; BM 45-57; R. 1900-1903. Bust of Constantine VII. Follis, 950-59. 4.60 gr. 26 mm. 6 hr. Sear 1762; DO 27; BNP 65-69; BM 70-76; R. 1907-1909. Busts of Constantine VII and his son Romanos II. Cast copper, 959-963. 3.44 gr. 21 mm. 6 hr. Sear 1775; DO 3a; BNP 1-4; R. 1891. In lieu of a portrait, a cruciform monogram of Romanos: ΡωΜΑ. Ex Hunt collection, Sotheby’s 6-21-91, lot 227 (part).

Romanos I Lekapenos, emperor (920–44) was from an obscure Armenian family. He pursued a naval career and eventually was made droungarios (admiral) of the fleet. His ultimate ambition was to gain the throne. During the regency of Constantine VII’s mother Zoe, he married his daughter Helen to the young emperor Constantine VII in 919. He rapidly increased his influence over the young Basileus and in Dec. 920 had himself crowned co-Augustus. Relegating the Porphyrogennetos to the background, he crowned his sons Christopher, Stephen, and Constantine co-emperors in order to diminish Constantine VII's role. At one point during this period, there were five co-Augusti sharing the throne (which likely had to be considerably widened on state occasions). @Valentinian’s web site has a clear and concise explanation of the plurality and overlapping of rulers during this time. http://augustuscoins.com/ed/Byz/ConVII.html Although Romanos’ rise to rule was unscrupulous, he served the empire wisely for over 20 years. His strong and competent hand restrained an aggressive Bulgarian threat and fostered the growth of a dynamic foreign policy that was to culminate in the eventual apogee of the state under the later Basil II. On Dec. 20, 944, Romanos I was dethroned by his sons Stephen and Constantine, fearful that their father was starting to look more favorably on Constantine VII. They sent Romanos to a monastery, only to be overthrown in their turn by popular support for the Porphyrogennetos a little over a month later. Mint of all is Constantinople Miliaresion, 921-931. 2.57 gr. 24.8 mm. 11 hr. Sear 1754; DO 18; BNP 1-3; BM 41; R. 1894. The order of precedence here is Romanos, his favorite son Christopher, and lastly Constantine VII Miliaresion, 931-944. 2.87 gr. 23.5 mm. 1 hr. Sear 1755; DO 20; BNP 4-9; BM 42; R, 1895-96. On the reverse, a medallion portrait of Romanos is in the center of the cross. The order of precedence here is Romanos, Constantine VII, Stephanos, and Constantine Lekapenos Pattern Solidus, 943. 3.23 gr. 20.5 mm. 5 hr. Sear 1742A; DO 9; Füeg 9. m. 3 B. On the reverse, busts of Romanos I and Constantine VII. While DO gives this pattern piece to 931, Füeg (Corpus of the Nomismata from Anastasius II to John I in Constantinople, 713-976) pushes the dating to 943 based on seals of the reign, the smaller size of the letters, and the fact that the emperors’ names are linked by the Greek cε (και) instead of the Latin “εt” of earlier issues. The numismatic evidence for the reign is noteworthy for the number of pattern coins struck in silver or copper for types that were not officially adopted. The DO catalog lists three types of pattern solidi, of which this is one. There is also the famous pattern miliaresion of Romanos I =Sear 1756. Although noted in DOC as (19), a specimen was formerly lacking there, but due to a friend’s generosity, the collection now has an example. Follis, 931-944. 6.62 gr. 27.1 mm. 6 hr. Sear 1760; DO 25b; BNP 31-54; BM 19-24. Bust of Romanos I.

Constantine VII Porphyrogennetos (the term means “purple born”, i. e., a child born to a reigning emperor) was raised to the throne as co-Augustus by his father Leo VI in 908 at the age of 3. On his father’s death in 912, he shared the throne with his dissolute uncle Alexander, and on the latter’s death in 913, became sole Augustus. The young emperor had a limitless curiosity and was given to intellectual and artistic pursuits, but for nearly four decades, Constantine remained in the background, with actual power wielded by a succession of powerful regents, including the Patriarch Nicholas Mystikos, his mother the Empress Zoe, then by the ambitious Byzantine admiral Romanos Lekapenos. Once Romanos forced himself upon the throne at the end of 920, he soon relegated the Porphyrogennetos to the background, and raised three of his sons to the rank of Augusti in preference to the legitimate emperor. The coinage reflects this with a proliferation of their names, which we shall see in the next installments Although our theme has been illustrations of the emperors on their coins, because I seldom collect gold, this jockeying for power can be best illustrated on a few miliaresia, where their names are displayed in order of rank. Mint of all coins is Constantinople Constantine and Zoe. Follis, 914-919. 6.95 gr. 24.7 mm. 5 hr. Sear 1758; DO 22; BNP 1-24; BM 1-6; R. 1883-85 Constantine alone. Miliaresion, 914-21. 3.13 gr. 25.7 mm. 12 hr. Sear 1752; DO 16 Constantine alone. Follis, 920-31 . 7.22 gr. 25 mm. 4 hr. Sear 1759; DO 23; BNP 25-30; BM 11-13; R. 1898-99. Ex Hunt collection, Sotheby’s 6/21/91, lot 226.

Thank you, @Sand, I love your time line maps!

If his predecessor, Basil I, can be summed up as a “man of deeds”, Leo VI emperor (886–912) preferred literary pursuits. For this reason, contemporaries referred to him as the Wise or the Philosopher. Under his administration, centuries of Roman legal compendia were codified under such works as the Basilika, the Novels of Leo VI, the Book of the Eparch, and the Kletorologion. These works were invaluable in bringing Roman law to the West. In addition, a military manual was published under his name and it has come down to us as the Taktika of Leo VI. Sadly, focusing on his intellectual pursuits, Leo neglected military and international affairs. The empire suffered catastrophic defeats at the hands of the Bulgarians; in 902 the last imperial foothold in Sicily, Taormina was lost to the Arabs; and Thessalonike, the most important city after Constantinople, was sacked and razed to the ground by Leo of Tripoli. Foreshadowing the dynastic concerns of a later monarch, Henry VIII, Leo’s lack of a male heir and the death of his first 2 wives caused the emperor much concern and severely destabilized the imperial court and its relations with the Church. His third and more so, his fourth and final marriage caused a major struggle between emperor and patriarch; Leo was, in fact, for a time prohibited from entering Hagia Sophia. Fortunately, his fourth wife Zoe Karbonopsina bore him a son, who would become Constantine VII. Leo shared his throne with his brother Alexander, who was perfectly satisfied to leave the responsibilities of rule to Leo while he enjoyed the good life his position afforded. Whenever I think of Alexander, I always recall the lines of Yeats’ “Sailing to Byzantium”: Once out of nature I shall never take My bodily form from any natural thing, But such a form as Grecian goldsmiths make Of hammered gold and gold enamelling To keep a drowsy Emperor awake; Or set upon a golden bough to sing To lords and ladies of Byzantium Of what is past, or passing, or to come. Mint of two top coins is Constantinople; that of the third coin below is Cherson. Follis, 886-912. 7.14 gr. 27 mm. 6 hr. Sear 1730; DO 6; BM 11-12; R. 1875. Leo and his brother Alexander. Follis, 886-912. 9.19 gr. 26.6 mm. 7 hr. Sear 1729; DO 8; BNP 14-55; BMC 8-10; R. 1873. Leo alone. Cast AE, 886-912. 1.89 gr. 17.4 mm. 12 hr. Sear 1732; DO 10. Ex collection @Valentinian. Bust of Leo.

Beautiful coins, my friend! (My wife would say otherwise, she preferring earlier Roman and Greek).

Basil I, emperor (867–86) and founder of the Macedonian dynasty, gained the throne by treachery as cruel as it was ungrateful in the murder of his patron and friend Michael III. However, during his reign of nearly 20 years, he was to prove one of the most capable and dynamic Basileis on the throne since Justinian I three centuries before. Of obscure origin, the new emperor showed himself to be concerned with fiscal administration and justice for the poor. He also built many new structures and refurbished older buildings suffering from neglect. His armies returned much of southern Italy to imperial control, although this has to be balanced against the loss of Sicily to the Arabs. He created his favorite son Constantine co-Augustus in 868, but on the young man’s death in 879, the emperor plunged into depression from which he never recovered. He also raised to the throne his other sons Leo (VI), in 870 and Alexander, in 879, although he detested the former, to the point of having him imprisoned for a time. Basil died of a hunting accident in 886. Follis, uncertain (?) mint, 868-70. 5.75 gr. 29 mm. 6 hr. Sear 1721 (uncertain mint); DO (8b) = BM 11. Basil is here portrayed with his favorite son Constantine, who died in 879. The DO catalog gives the issue to Constantinople, while Sear suggests an uncertain mint. Follis, Constantinople, 870-79. 6.18 gr. 25 mm. 6 hr. Sear 1712; DO 11; BNP 12-18; BM 22-23; R. 1865. Basil, in center, is flanked by his 2 sons Leo and Constantine. Follis, Constantinople, 879-886. 7.77 gr. 27 mm. 5 hr. Sear 1709; DO 12; BNP 1-4; BM 8-10; R. 1851. Leo is portrayed here alone, enthroned. Ex Hunt collection, Sotheby’s June 21, 1991, lot 226 (part). Semissis, Syracuse, 868-79. 1.04 gr. 13 mm. 6 hr. Sear 1714; DO 14a; R. 1859. The obverse depicts Basil; the reverse, his son Constantine. This highly debased “gold” coin is among the last issues of Byzantine Syracuse, the city falling to the Arabs in 878.

It might not be too unfair to claim that Michael III, emperor (842–67) was his father’s opposite, just as Theophilos had been to his father, Michael II. For nearly the first decade and a half of his reign, Michael was kept in the background during his mother Theodora's regency (842–56). At age 16, with help from the Caesar Bardas, Michael deposed the regents Theodora and her favorite Theoktistos and became sole emperor on 15 Mar. 856. While kept in the shadow of power as a youth, Michael spent his time in “wild living” - drinking, and enjoying banquets, horse races, and other amusements, and sadly, once on the throne without opposition, continued to spend his energies and time on the same. However, he and the empire were both fortunate to have reliable ministers doing the real work of administration and defending the empire during his reign. Michael fell under the sway of an Armenian peasant named Basil whom he brought into the palace and on whom he showered ever greater titles, until ultimately sharing the imperial throne with him in 866, but shortly thereafter Basil had him murdered in his palace bedroom the night of 23/4 Sept. 867. Mint of coins on the top row is Constantinople; of that on the bottom row, Syracuse. Miliaresion, 842-56. 1.84 gr. 22.7 mm. 12 hr. Sear 1690; DO 5; BNP 1-4; BM 8; R. 1842. Having no coins with portraits of Michael’s mother and sister, Theodora and Thecla, I can only offer a miliaresion with their names. (On a personal note, before the birth of our younger daughter, I lobbied unsuccessfully for naming her Thecla. My wife would have none of it. ☹) Follis, 866-67. 9.11 gr. 27 mm. 6 hr. Sear 1693; DO 8; BNP 1-5; BM 11-12; R. 1849; T. 18. Ex Hunt collection, Sotheby’s Dec. 5-6, 1990, lot 476. The obverse depicts Michael III, while the reverse bears a bust of Basil, his newly made co-Augustus and murderer/successor. Noteworthy of this issue is the novel use of Latin (Michael Imperat[or] and Basilius Rex), which had ceased to be the dominant language employed on the coinage since the introduction of Greek on the miliaresia introduced by Leo III. This revival of Latin was in answer to an insulting response issued by Pope Nicholas I in a letter to Michael dated 865. In an earlier letter from Michael to the Roman Curia, the emperor had written that Latin was a “barbarous and Scythian” language. The Pope replied “iam vero, si ideo linguam Latinam barbaram dicitis, quoniam illam non intelligitis, vos considerate, quia ridiculum est vos appellare Romanorum imperatores et tamen linguam non nosse Romanam.“: “Now in truth, if therefore you call the Latin language barbarous because you do not understand it, consider that it is foolish to call yourselves emperors of the Romans but yet not know the Roman language.” This coin was evidently struck to prove the survival of a knowledge of Latin at the imperial court. Half Follis, Syracuse, 842-867. 2.18 gr. 17.9 mm. 7 hr. Sear 1697; DO 13. Grierson notes in DOC 3:1, p. 469” “The denomination is doubtful, the coin may be a reduced follis of the period 856-67.”

Justinian I was the last emperor, I seem to recall, for whom Latin was his first language. In the generations that followed his death, as ties with the Latin speaking west become tenuous, so also does the use of Latin increasingly disappear. Coinage clings to tradition, so Latin continues for several centuries on the coinage, but with a subtle mixture of Greek, and often both languages are represented with inappropriate letter forms. A quick glance at Constantine Porphyrogennetos' 10th c. Book of Ceremonies shows Latin phrases that have become fossilized in imperial acclamations, etc. I'll dig some examples out in the next day or so and share them. They are a lot of fun! But two coins that illustrate the 2 languages: Heraclius, Sear 801. The reverse better illustrates the use of Latin (the obverse being simply the names of Heraclius and Heraclius Constantine). The legend, Deus adiuta Romanis (God aid the Romans) is pure Latin albeit in a mixture of Greek and Latin letter forms. Compare to this miliaresion of Theophilos, Sear 1661, which is in Greek, save with again, a mixture of Greek and Latin letters: Obverse: (this is difficult to try to reproduce on my keyboard +ΘεοFI / LOS δυLOS / ΧRISτυ S PIS / τOS εh AVτO bASILευ' RO / mAIOh - proper Greek below: (note the "S" before PIS, is not the letter "S". It is a manuscript abbreviation stroke for the connecting word και) Θεοφιλος δουλος Χριστου και πίστος εν Αυτω βασιλευς Ρομαιων (Theophilos, servant of Christ, and in Him, emperor of the Romans) Reverse: IhSυS XRIS τυS hICA Ιησους Χριστος νικα (Jesus Christ conquers)

Theophilos, emperor (829–42), son of Michael II, was crowned co-emperor by his father in spring 821. On Michael II’s death in 829, Theophilos became sole Augustus. The new emperor had a son, Constantine, whom he made co-Augustus in 830 or 831, but he died in infancy. A second son, Michael III was born in 840 and crowned in the same year. If Michael II was known as an unlettered rustic, his son Theophilos was schooled in art, literature, and philosophy, as well as in more practical subjects such as architecture and warfare. He possessed a deep knowledge of and respect for Islamic culture, but sadly much of his reign was spent in armed conflict against the Arabs. He was deeply interested in the welfare of his subjects. His sound fiscal policies allowed major additions to the Great Palace, construction and restorations of many existing buildings, public and private, as well as renovations of Constantinople's walls. Perhaps influenced by his appreciation for Arab culture and religious sensibilities, Theophilos restored Iconoclasm by prohibiting all painted images, in addition to persecuting iconodules, many of whom he exiled or physically punished. Theophilos died of dysentery in 842, and with him Iconoclasm came to an end. Mint of all three coins is Constantinople. Follis, 829-31. 7.63 gr. 30 mm. 6 hr. Sear 1666; DO 13; BNP 1-3; BM 15-16; R. 1822. Theophilos, with Constantine. Follis, 830 or 831. 8.33 gr. 30.6 mm. 6 hr. Sear 1165;DO 14; BM 12; T. 43. As @Valentinan has noted, this is a rare coin. Half follis, 830-42. 5.01 5.01 gr. 25.5 mm. 5 hr. Sear 1668; DO 16a; BM 27-29; R. 1826. With this class, the traditional mark of value on the reverse, by now lacking any meaning, is replaced by an inscription in several lines, as found on the miliaresia. Mint of third coin, top row is Naples (?); that of the rest, Syracuse. Solidus, 829-30. 3.97 gr. 17 mm. 6 hr. Sear 1671; DO 18. Semissis, 831-42. 1.70 gr. 12.8 mm. 5 hr. Sear 1674; DO 26c; BM 36-40; T. 12. The faces on this class have a drawn, emaciated appearance. Solidus, Naples (?), 831-42. 3.97 gr. 20 mm. 5 hr. Sear 1683; DO 33; BM 56-57; T. 36-37. Unlike the previous two coins, on which Theophilos appears on both sides, this coin depicts the emperor’s son Constantine on the reverse. Follis, 830-42. 1.69 gr. 17 mm. 4 hr. Sear 1680; DO 29c; BNP 1-4. The reverse of this coin features Michael III and Constantine. Follis, 830-42. 5.19 gr. 26.6 mm. 5 hr. Sear 1681; DO 30; BNP 5-10; BM 44-46; R. 1829. Overstruck on a follis of Michael II. DOC 3, p. 421 notes that the chronology of Theophilos’ Sicilian folles is uncertain due to a paucity of overstrikes. The overstriking of this coin on a Michael II could argue for placing it first in the series.

Great coin!

Michael II, emperor (820–29), who came to the throne after his supporters butchered Leo V at Christmas services in 820, was from an obscure provincial family. It was said of Michael that he was so uneducated that in the time it took him to write the 6 letters of his name, Μιχαηλ, other people could read an entire book. However, once in power, reflecting on the fact that the Empire had had 7 Basileis in the previous quarter of a century, Michael raised his 17 year old son Theophilos to the throne as co-emperor either in spring 821 or early summer 822. His wise concern on providing stability for the state was later to bear fruit in the subsequent rule of his son. Michael supported the cause of Iconoclasm, but he did so with more restraint than his iconoclastic predecessors, leading to the gradual and permanent restoration of Orthodoxy. The emperor survived a major revolt of Thomas the Slav, but was unable to prevent the Arabs’ conquest of Crete between 824 and 827 and their invasion of Sicily ca.827. He died of illness in October 829, becoming the first monarch in a half century to die peacefully in bed while still in possession of the throne. Miliaresion, Constantinople, 821-29. 2.25 gr. 24 mm. hr. 12. Sear 1641; DO 6; BNP 1-3; BM 5; T. 21; R. 1811. The obverse 5 line inscription reads: + MIXA / HL S ΘЄOFI / LЄ ЄC ΘЄЧ / ЬASILIS RO / MAIOҺ = “Michael, with Theophilos, by grace of God, emperors of the Romans, [may you conquer!] .” The reverse inscription, IҺSЧS XRIS - TЧS ҺICA translates as “Jesus Christ conquers!” This was one of the battle cries of the eastern Roman army. Follis, Constantinople, 821-29. 8.34 gr. 31.7 mm. 6hr. Sear 1642; DO 10; BNP 1-11; BM 7-10; T. 23. Busts of Michael and Theophilos. Solidus, Syracuse, 821-29. 3.82 gr. 13 mm. 6 hr. Sear 1646; DO 15. Busts of Michael and Theophilos on obverse and reverse. Follis, Syracuse, 821-29. 4.63 gr. 6 hr. Busts of Michael and Theophilos as on the Constantinopolitan follis above. Sear 1652; DO 21; BNP 1-11; BM 20-27; Ratto 1814 (this coin); T. 27-30. Ex Garrett collection. The M on the reverse performs two functions: an allusion to the traditional mark of value of the follis as well as an initial for Michael; the Θ, placed where an officina number would be expected, stands for Theophilos.

Thank you for the tip - I'll watch it!

Dear @sand, Your Leo has beautiful coloring. Also, the maps you provide showing the empire's territories chronologically are wonderful! Thank you!

Leo V the Armenian, emperor (813–20). Leo had an uneven military career under Nikephoros I. Initially supporting the general Bardanes Tourkos, who rebelled against Nikephoros in 803, Leo deserted Bardanes for Nikephoros, who named him commander of the foederati and gave him substantial properties in Constantinople. However, Nikephoros later exiled him, perhaps because Leo had enriched himself illegally, but Michael I recalled him and created him general of the Armeniakon theme. After the Byzantines’ catastrophic defeat by the Bulgarians after the battle of Versinikia, Michael I abdicated in favor of Leo V on 11 July 813. In December of that ear, Leo proclaimed his son Constantine co-Augustus. He restored Iconoclasm, which had fallen out of favor under Irene. Because of this, Byzantine sources are hostile to Leo. He was, however, an excellent general and enjoyed a reputation for fairness and honesty. He made competent military appointments, including his longtime associate Michael (II). However, a growing distrust of the emperor toward Michael, caused him to throw the latter into prison with the intention of executing him. However, partisans of Michael assassinated Leo in church on Christmas Day 820, vacating the throne to be assumed by Michael II. Follis, Constantinople, 813. Leo alone. 6.28 gr. 24.3 mm. 6hr. Sear 1629 (this coin); DO 6; BM 6; T. 12; R. 1795 Follis, Constantinople, 813-820. Leo with Constantine. 6.23 gr. 23.2 mm. 6h. Sear 1630; DO 7c; BM 7-11; BNP 2-8; R. 1800-01; T. 16-19 Follis, Syracuse, 813-820. Leo with Constantine. 4.14 gr. 22.7 mm. 6 hr. Sear 1635; DO 19a; BNP 1-7; BM 22-25; R. 1803-04; T. 22-23. The obverse is anepigraphic, but the reverse is signed with the initials of the 2 co-rulers: Λ Κ. Follis, Syracuse, 813-820. Leo with Constantine. 2.55 gr. 19.2 mm. 6 hr. Sear 1638; DO 16; BM 36-37; T. 25-26.

Wow! Those are wonderful!

Michael I Rangave, emperor (811–13). During the reign of Nikephoros, Michael held the dignity of kouropalates, a high ranking official responsible for construction and order in the palace. He accompanied Nikephoros in his catastrophic defeat against the Bulgarians, but unlike his emperor, he was not destined to become a piece of Krum’s tableware. Michael became emperor on 2 Oct. 811, when the dying Staurakios abdicated in his favor. On 25 Dec. 811, he raised his son Theophylaktos to the throne as his co-Augustus. Despite the responsibilities of his previous role as kouropalates, the historian Theophanes writes of him that he was “Completely honest and equitable but incapable of managing matters.” Michael reversed his predecessor’s unpopular fiscal policies, spending lavishly on churches, monasteries, and various charities. As will be seen below, he rejected the claims of Charlemagne to the imperial title, which had been conferred on him when Pope Leo III crowned the Frankish king imperator Romanorum on 25 Dec. 800 in Rome. His continuation of Nikephoros’ wars against the Bulgars was a failure and ultimately led to his downfall. He abdicated in favor of Leo V on 11 July 813. His son and co-ruler Theophylaktos was mutilated along with his other sons, and Michael became a monk on the Princes' Islands, taking the name Athanasios. Because we have been focusing on the portraits of the βασιλείς Ῥωμαίων, I’ve not shown any miliaresia, of which I am very fond. But a very significant feature appears on the denomination under Michael I. Prior to Michael, the legends on the miliaresia end with the phrase: bASILIS (emperors). Until the “upstart” Charlemagne was crowned Imperator Romanorum in Rome on 25 Dec. 800, the single word sufficed to stress that the only emperor was that in Constantinople. To emphasize their point, after 812 the Byzantines now consistently refer to their ruler as basileus of the Rhomaioi. Charlemagne was grudgingly regarded as emperor only of the Franks. Miliaresion, Constantinople, 811-13. 2.12 gr. 22.3 mm . 12 hr. Sear 1616; DO 3; BNP 1-3; BM 2-3; R. 1792; T. 4 Grierson, in the Dumbarton Oaks catalog, does not recognize the 2 classes of Constantinopolitan folles as belonging to Michael I; he would place them in the reign of Michael II. He explains his reasons on pp. 364-65 of DOC 3:1, for those who wish to read them. Follis, Constantinople, 811 . 5.11 gr. 23.1 mm . 6hr. Sear 1617;DO 7 (Michael II); BM p. 406 (Michael I); T. 5 (Michael I); R. 1789. The basileus is here alone, without his son. Follis, Constantinople, 811-813 . 5.14 gr. 23.3 mm . 6 hr. Sear 1618; DO 8 (Michael II); BNP 1; BM 4-6. Father and son both appear as co-Augusti on the obverse. Follis, Syracuse, 811. 2.62 gr. 18 mm. 6 hr. Sear 1624; DO 9; BNP, p. 505; BM 20-21 (Michael III); T. 5 (Michael II); R. 1848 (Michael III). Issued before the proclamation of Theophylaktos as co-Augustus in Dec. 811, this series bears the portrait of Michael on both obverse and reverse. Curiously, his reverse portrait is beardless; this likely follows a convention of placing the junior emperor on the reverse. Follis, Syracuse, 811-13. 2.16 gr. 17 mm. 6 hr. Sear 1625; DO 10; BM 12; R. 1793. Similar to the previous coin, Michael’s portrait appears on the obverse, while here, his son, who is named, occupies the reverse.