{"product_id":"byzantine-anonymous-ae-follis-class-a3-constantine-vii-zoe-c-1025-1030-ad","title":"Byzantine Empire — Constantine VII \u0026 Zoe AE Follis","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThis is a Byzantine bronze follis of \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003eConstantine VII Porphyrogenitus\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003e, struck during the period when he ruled under the authority and influence of his mother, \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003eZoe Karbonopsina\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003e. These coins date to approximately \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003eA.D. 914–919\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003e, during one of those classic Byzantine power arrangements where the “emperor” was technically on the throne, but Mom was very much holding the steering wheel.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThe obverse shows \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003eConstantine VII and Zoe facing forward\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003e, crowned and holding a \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003elong patriarchal cross\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003e between them. The reverse carries a bold multi-line inscription naming \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003eConstantine and Zoe as rulers\/emperors of the Romans\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003e.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cspan\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eByzantine bronzes from this period are rarely pretty in the modern sense — and that is exactly the point. This coin is dark, crude, worn, and absolutely loaded with history. It comes from an empire that was still calling itself Roman nearly 900 years after Augustus, while the medieval world was busy rearranging itself with fire, theology, family drama, and sharp objects.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cspan\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis is not some polished tourist trinket pretending to be ancient. This is a real-deal Byzantine bronze from the early 10th century, struck under Constantine VII and Zoe, mother and son, in one of the most politically messy courts in medieval history.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cspan\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eDetails:\u003cbr\u003e\u003cspan\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eEmpire:\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003e Byzantine Empire\u003cbr\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003eRuler:\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003e Constantine VII Porphyrogenitus with Zoe\u003cbr\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003eDenomination:\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003e AE Follis\u003cbr\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003eMint:\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003e Constantinople\u003cbr\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003eDate:\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003e A.D. 914–919\u003cbr\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003eObverse:\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003e Crowned facing busts of Constantine VII and Zoe, holding a long patriarchal cross between them\u003cbr\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003eReverse:\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003e Multi-line inscription naming Constantine and Zoe as rulers\/emperors of the Romans\u003cbr\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003eMetal:\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003e Bronze\u003cbr\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003eReference:\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003e Sear Byzantine 1758 \/ DOC 22 type\u003cbr\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003eCondition:\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003e Ancient bronze with honest wear, dark patina, surface roughness, and visible inscriptions\/design elements\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Redmond Rare Coins","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":53049735217449,"sku":null,"price":60.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0716\/5398\/2505\/files\/IMG-1510.jpg?v=1777070659","url":"https:\/\/redmondrarecoins.com\/products\/byzantine-anonymous-ae-follis-class-a3-constantine-vii-zoe-c-1025-1030-ad","provider":"Redmond Rare Coins","version":"1.0","type":"link"}