20 December, 2024 Admin 0 Comments 2 categories

List of Byzantine Emperors to include all 94 emperors, along with brief descriptions of their coins and legends. Below is the expanded article that covers the Byzantine emperors from Constantine I to Constantine XI, highlighting their coins and their historical and artistic significance.

Byzantine emperors with added descriptions of their coins

The Byzantine Empire, known for its longevity and cultural richness, was ruled by 94 emperors from its founding under Constantine I in 330 AD to its fall under Constantine XI in 1453. Byzantine coins were not merely currency but symbols of imperial authority, religious devotion, and artistic sophistication. This article provides a comprehensive overview of these emperors, their coins, and the legends that adorned them.

  1. Constantinian Dynasty (306–363)
  2. Constantine I the Great (306–337)
  • Coin: Gold solidus
  • Legend: “CONSTANTINUS MAX AVG”
  • Description: Features Constantine in military attire; reverse depicts Victory holding a wreath and a labarum.
  1. Constantine II (337–340)
  • Coin: Bronze centenionalis
  • Legend: “DN CONSTANTINUS IVN NOB C”
  • Description: A youthful portrait with soldiers carrying standards on the reverse.
  1. Constans (337–350)
  • Coin: Gold solidus
  • Legend: “DN CONSTANS PF AVG”
  • Description: Diademed bust of Constans; reverse shows a winged Victory holding a globe.
  1. Constantius II (337–361)
  • Coin: Gold solidus
  • Legend: “DN CONSTAN-TIVS PF AVG”
  • Description: Laurel-crowned bust of Constantius; reverse often displays Christian symbols like the Chi-Rho.
  1. Julian the Apostate (361–363)
  • Coin: Gold solidus
  • Legend: “FL CL IVLIANVS PP AVG”
  • Description: Highlights Julian’s pagan revival, with Sol Invictus or Jupiter imagery.
  1. Valentinian Dynasty (364–392)
  2. Jovian (363–364)
  • Coin: Gold solidus
  • Legend: “DN IOVIANUS PF AVG”
  • Description: Military bust; reverse shows Victory standing on a globe.
  1. Valentinian I (364–375)
  • Coin: Gold solidus
  • Legend: “DN VALENTINI-ANVS PF AVG”
  • Description: The emperor holding a labarum and shield, emphasizing imperial defense.
  1. Valens (364–378)
  • Coin: Gold solidus
  • Legend: “DN VALENS PF AVG”
  • Description: Helmeted Valens; reverse shows Victory inscribing a shield.
  1. Gratian (367–383)
  • Coin: Gold solidus
  • Legend: “DN GRATIANVS AVG”
  • Description: Reflects youth and military vigor; crosses appear on the reverse.
  1. Valentinian II (375–392)
  • Coin: Gold solidus
  • Legend: “DN VALENTINIANVS IVN PF AVG”
  • Description: Features a youthful portrait; reverse shows an enthroned Victory.
  1. Theodosian Dynasty (379–457)
  2. Theodosius I (379–395)
  • Coin: Gold solidus
  • Legend: “DN THEODOSIVS PF AVG”
  • Description: A diademed bust; reverse shows Victory seated with a shield.
  1. Arcadius (395–408)
  • Coin: Gold solidus
  • Legend: “DN ARCADIVS PF AVG”
  • Description: Youthful portrait; reverse features Roma enthroned.
  1. Honorius (393–423)
  • Coin: Gold solidus
  • Legend: “DN HONORIVS PF AVG”
  • Description: Highlights Christian motifs like the cross.
  1. Theodosius II (408–450)
  • Coin: Gold solidus
  • Legend: “DN THEODOSIVS PF AVG”
  • Description: Scholarly bust with reverse showing Christogram symbols.
  1. Marcian (450–457)
  • Coin: Gold solidus
  • Legend: “DN MARCIANVS PF AVG”
  • Description: Stern portrait with Victory holding a scepter and globe.
  1. Justinian Dynasty (518–602)
  2. Justin I (518–527)
  • Coin: Gold solidus
  • Legend: “DN IVSTINVS PP AVG”
  • Description: Imperial robes; reverse shows a seated Victory.
  1. Justinian I (527–565)
  • Coin: Gold solidus
  • Legend: “DN IVSTINIANVS PP AVG”
  • Description: Features Christ or angels on the reverse, symbolizing Christianity’s dominance.
  1. Maurice Tiberius (582–602)
  • Coin: Gold solidus
  • Legend: “DN MAVRIC TIB PP AVG”
  • Description: Military attire with an angel depicted on the reverse.
  1. Heraclian Dynasty (610–711)
  2. Heraclius (610–641)
  • Coin: Gold solidus
  • Legend: “DN HERACLIUS PP AVG”
  • Description: Features the emperor with his sons; reverse shows a cross potent.
  1. Constantine IV (668–685)
  • Coin: Gold solidus
  • Legend: “DN CONSTANTINOS PP AVG”
  • Description: Bust with a crown and cross; reverse often shows Victory.
  1. Isaurian Dynasty (717–802)
  2. Leo III (717–741)
  • Coin: Gold solidus
  • Legend: “DN LEO PP AVG”
  • Description: Portrays the emperor holding a cross potent.
  1. Constantine V (741–775)
  • Coin: Gold solidus
  • Legend: “DN CONSTANTINOS PP AVG”
  • Description: Features religious imagery on the reverse, such as crosses or Christ.
  1. Macedonian Dynasty (867–1056)
  2. Basil I (867–886)
  • Coin: Gold solidus
  • Legend: “BASILIOS BASILEUS”
  • Description: Bust with imperial robes; reverse shows Christ enthroned.
  1. Constantine VII (913–959)
  • Coin: Gold solidus
  • Legend: “CONSTANTINOS BASILEUS”
  • Description: Features Christ Pantocrator on the reverse.
  1. Palaiologos Dynasty (1261–1453)
  2. Constantine XI Palaiologos (1449–1453)
  • Coin: Gold hyperpyron
  • Legend: “CONSTANTINOS BASILEUS”
  • Description: Depicts the emperor with a sword; reverse shows Christ, symbolizing divine guidance during the empire’s final days.

Constantinian Dynasty (306–363)

  1. Constantine I the Great (306–337) – Gold solidus, “CONSTANTINUS MAX AVG”
  2. Constantine II (337–340) – Bronze centenionalis, “DN CONSTANTINUS IVN NOB C”
  3. Constans (337–350) – Gold solidus, “DN CONSTANS PF AVG”
  4. Constantius II (337–361) – Gold solidus, “DN CONSTAN-TIVS PF AVG”
  5. Julian the Apostate (361–363) – Gold solidus, “FL CL IVLIANVS PP AVG”
  1. Valentinian Dynasty (364–392)
  2. Jovian (363–364) – Gold solidus, “DN IOVIANUS PF AVG”
  3. Valentinian I (364–375) – Gold solidus, “DN VALENTINI-ANVS PF AVG”
  4. Valens (364–378) – Gold solidus, “DN VALENS PF AVG”
  5. Gratian (367–383) – Gold solidus, “DN GRATIANVS AVG”
  6. Valentinian II (375–392) – Gold solidus, “DN VALENTINIANVS IVN PF AVG”
  1. Theodosian Dynasty (379–457)
  2. Theodosius I (379–395) – Gold solidus, “DN THEODOSIVS PF AVG”
  3. Arcadius (395–408) – Gold solidus, “DN ARCADIVS PF AVG”
  4. Honorius (393–423) – Gold solidus, “DN HONORIVS PF AVG”
  5. Theodosius II (408–450) – Gold solidus, “DN THEODOSIVS PF AVG”
  6. Marcian (450–457) – Gold solidus, “DN MARCIANVS PF AVG”
  1. Leonid Dynasty (457–518)
  2. Leo I (457–474) – Gold solidus, “DN LEO PERPET AVG”
  3. Leo II (474) – Gold solidus, “DN LEO IVN AVG”
  4. Zeno (474–491) – Gold solidus, “DN ZENO PERPET AVG”
  5. Basiliscus (475–476) – Gold solidus, “DN BASILISCUS PERPET AVG”
  6. Anastasius I (491–518) – Gold solidus, “DN ANASTASIVS PP AVG”
  1. Justinian Dynasty (518–602)
  2. Justin I (518–527) – Gold solidus, “DN IVSTINVS PP AVG”
  3. Justinian I (527–565) – Gold solidus, “DN IVSTINIANVS PP AVG”
  4. Justin II (565–578) – Gold solidus, “DN IVSTINVS PP AVG”
  5. Tiberius II Constantine (578–582) – Gold solidus, “DN TIBERIUS PP AVG”
  6. Maurice Tiberius (582–602) – Gold solidus, “DN MAVRIC TIB PP AVG”
  1. Heraclian Dynasty (610–711)
  2. Phocas (602–610) – Gold solidus, “DN FOCAS PERPET AVG”
  3. Heraclius (610–641) – Gold solidus, “DN HERACLIUS PP AVG”
  4. Constantine III (641) – Gold solidus, “DN CONSTANTINUS PP AVG”
  5. Heraklonas (641) – Gold solidus, “DN HERACLIUS NOVUS”
  6. Constans II (641–668) – Gold solidus, “DN CONSTANTINUS PP AVG”
  7. Constantine IV (668–685) – Gold solidus, “DN CONSTANTINUS PP AVG”
  8. Justinian II (685–695, 705–711) – Gold solidus, “DN IHS CHS REX REGNANTIUM”
  1. Isaurian Dynasty (717–802)
  2. Leo III (717–741) – Gold solidus, “DN LEO PP AVG”
  3. Constantine V (741–775) – Gold solidus, “DN CONSTANTINOS PP AVG”
  4. Leo IV (775–780) – Gold solidus, “DN LEO PP AVG”
  5. Constantine VI (780–797) – Gold solidus, “DN CONSTANTINOS PP AVG”
  6. Irene (797–802) – Gold solidus, “EIRHNIS AUGOUSTA”
  1. Nikephorian Dynasty (802–813)
  2. Nikephoros I (802–811) – Gold solidus, “DN NIKEPHOROS PP AVG”
  3. Staurakios (811) – Gold solidus, “DN STAVRAKIOS PP AVG”
  4. Michael I Rangabe (811–813) – Gold solidus, “DN MICHAEL PP AVG”
  1. Amorian Dynasty (820–867)
  2. Leo V (813–820) – Gold solidus, “DN LEO PP AVG”
  3. Michael II (820–829) – Gold solidus, “DN MICHAEL PP AVG”
  4. Theophilos (829–842) – Gold solidus, “DN THEOPHILOS PP AVG”
  5. Michael III (842–867) – Gold solidus, “DN MICHAEL PP AVG”

Romanos III (1028–1034) – Gold histamenon, “ROMANOS DESPOTES”

Macedonian Dynasty (867–1056)

Basil I (867–886) – Gold solidus, “BASILIOS ET CONSTANTINOS AUGG”

Leo VI (886–912) – Gold solidus, “LEO ET ALEXANDROS”

Alexander (912–913) – Gold solidus, “DN ALEXANDROS PP AVG”

Constantine VII (913–959) – Gold solidus, “CONSTANTINOS ET ROMANOS AUGG”

Romanos I (920–944) – Gold solidus, “ROMANOS BASILEUS”

Nikephoros II Phokas (963–969) – Gold histamenon, “NIKEPHOROS BASILEUS”

John I Tzimiskes (969–976) – Gold histamenon, “IOANNES BASILEUS”

Basil II (976–1025) – Gold histamenon, “BASILIOS BULGAROKTONOS”

Constantine VIII (1025–1028) – Gold histamenon, “CONSTANTINOS BASILEUS”

Here is the remaining list of Byzantine emperors to ensure the comprehensive record of 94 rulers is complete. We will continue from where we left off:

  1. Komnenos Dynasty (1081–1185)
  2. Alexios I Komnenos (1081–1118) – Gold hyperpyron, “ALEXIOS DESPOTES”
  3. John II Komnenos (1118–1143) – Gold hyperpyron, “IOANNES BASILEUS”
  4. Manuel I Komnenos (1143–1180) – Gold hyperpyron, “MANOUHL BASILEUS”
  5. Alexios II Komnenos (1180–1183) – Gold hyperpyron, “ALEXIOS DESPOTES”
  6. Andronikos I Komnenos (1183–1185) – Gold hyperpyron, “ANDRONIKOS DESPOTES”
  1. Angelos Dynasty (1185–1204)
  2. Isaac II Angelos (1185–1195, 1203–1204) – Gold hyperpyron, “ISAAKIOS DESPOTES”
  3. Alexios III Angelos (1195–1203) – Gold hyperpyron, “ALEXIOS BASILEUS”
  4. Alexios IV Angelos (1203–1204) – Gold hyperpyron, “ALEXIOS DESPOTES”
  5. Alexios V Doukas (1204) – Gold hyperpyron, “ALEXIOS DOUKAS BASILEUS”
  1. Latin Occupation (1204–1261)
  2. Theodore I Laskaris (1204–1222) – Gold hyperpyron, “THEODOROS BASILEUS”
  3. John III Doukas Vatatzes (1222–1254) – Gold hyperpyron, “IOANNES BASILEUS”
  4. Theodore II Laskaris (1254–1258) – Gold hyperpyron, “THEODOROS BASILEUS”
  5. John IV Laskaris (1258–1261) – Gold hyperpyron, “IOANNES DESPOTES”
  1. Palaiologos Dynasty (1261–1453)
  2. Michael VIII Palaiologos (1261–1282) – Gold hyperpyron, “MIKHAHL BASILEUS”
  3. Andronikos II Palaiologos (1282–1328) – Gold hyperpyron, “ANDRONIKOS BASILEUS”
  4. Andronikos III Palaiologos (1328–1341) – Gold hyperpyron, “ANDRONIKOS DESPOTES”
  5. John V Palaiologos (1341–1391) – Gold hyperpyron, “IOANNES BASILEUS”
  6. John VI Kantakouzenos (1347–1354) – Gold hyperpyron, “IOANNES KANTAKOUZENOS”
  7. Matthew Kantakouzenos (1353–1357) – Gold hyperpyron, “MATTHAIOS BASILEUS”
  8. Andronikos IV Palaiologos (1376–1379) – Gold hyperpyron, “ANDRONIKOS DESPOTES”
  9. John VII Palaiologos (1379–1390) – Gold hyperpyron, “IOANNES DESPOTES”
  10. Manuel II Palaiologos (1391–1425) – Gold hyperpyron, “MANOUHL BASILEUS”
  11. John VIII Palaiologos (1425–1448) – Gold hyperpyron, “IOANNES BASILEUS”
  12. Constantine XI Palaiologos (1449–1453) – Gold hyperpyron, “CONSTANTINOS BASILEUS”

Note: The last Byzantine emperor, killed during the fall of Constantinople.

  1. Intervening and Short-lived Rulers (Several Dynasties)
  2. Nikephoros II Phokas (963–969) – Gold histamenon, “NIKEPHOROS BASILEUS”
  3. John I Tzimiskes (969–976) – Gold histamenon, “IOANNES BASILEUS”
  4. Isaac I Komnenos (1057–1059) – Gold histamenon, “ISAAKIOS BASILEUS”
  5. Michael VI Bringas (1056–1057) – Gold histamenon, “MICHAEL BASILEUS”
  6. Romanos IV Diogenes (1068–1071) – Gold histamenon, “ROMANOS BASILEUS”
  7. Nikephoros III Botaneiates (1078–1081) – Gold histamenon, “NIKEPHOROS BASILEUS”
  1. Bulgarian Emperors (Byzantine Influence)

These rulers had coinage that blended Byzantine and local designs.

  1. Boris I (852–889)
  2. Simeon I (893–927)
  3. Peter I (927–969)

  1. Basiliscus (475–476) – Copper coinage, “DN BASILISCUS”
  2. Anastasius II (713–715) – Gold solidus, “ANASTASIVS BASILEUS”
  3. Theodosius III (715–717) – Gold solidus, “THEODOSIVS BASILEUS”
  4. Michael IV (1034–1041) – Gold histamenon, “MICHAEL BASILEUS”
  5. Michael V (1041–1042) – Gold histamenon, “MICHAEL DESPOTES”
  6. Constantine IX Monomachos (1042–1055) – Gold histamenon, “CONSTANTINOS BASILEUS”
  7. Theodora (1055–1056) – Gold histamenon, “THEODORA BASILISSA”

The Rarest Coin

The solidus of Constantine XI, minted during the fall of Constantinople in 1453, is among the rarest Byzantine coins. It is believed that only a handful exist due to the city’s siege and subsequent destruction.

Byzantine coins reflect the political, religious, and artistic milestones of the empire’s history. From Constantine the Great to Constantine XI, each coin tells a story of power, faith, and survival. The rarest coin, the gold hyperpyron of Constantine XI, symbolizes the empire’s last moments, making it a treasured artifact for historians and collectors alike.

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Category: Byzantine Coins, Byzantine Empire

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