Anonymous Follis – Class B | Byzantine Empire
Attributed to Emperor Romanus III Argyros (1028–1034 AD)
Weight: 11,24 g  Diameter: 28 mm  Metal: Bronze (Æ)
✔️ 925 sterling silver frame, 14k gold plated
✔️ Certificate of Authenticity & Provenance, issued by Numisnation
✔️ Genuine leather cord necklace (random color)
✔️ Handcrafted envelope made from traditional Amalfi paper, produced using real cotton fibers, following medieval techniques
✔️ Certificate envelope closed and sealed with wax, bearing the official Numisnation logo
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🪙 Coin Description
This impressive Anonymous Byzantine Follis, Class B, was struck in the early 11th century AD and is traditionally attributed to the reign of Emperor Romanus III Argyros. Like all anonymous folles, this coin does not bear the name or portrait of the emperor, instead proclaiming Jesus Christ as the true ruler of the Empire.
Obverse:
A commanding frontal image of Jesus Christ Pantocrator, depicted with solemn authority. Christ is shown holding the Book of the Gospels in His left hand while raising His right hand in blessing. This iconic image represents divine law, spiritual authority, and protection over the Byzantine world.
Reverse:
A large cross set on steps, surrounded by sacred inscriptions affirming Christ’s victory and sovereignty. The stepped cross symbolizes both Golgotha and the triumph of Christianity, reinforcing the idea that the empire stands upon divine foundations.
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✝️ One of the First Coins with the Image of Christ
Anonymous folles like this Class B issue are among the earliest mass-circulated coins in European history to feature the direct image of Jesus Christ. These coins were handled daily by soldiers, merchants, and citizens, turning currency into a portable religious icon.
By omitting the emperor’s name, the Byzantine state made a bold theological statement:
Christ was the supreme emperor; human rulers governed only by His will.
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🏛 Historical Context
Class B folles were issued during a period of prosperity but growing tension within the Byzantine Empire. Romanus III ruled at a time when imperial authority relied heavily on religious legitimacy, lavish patronage of churches, and public displays of faith.
The production of these coins reflects a society in which religion, politics, and daily life were inseparable. Soon after this period, Byzantium would face increasing military and internal challenges, making these coins witnesses to the final decades of relative stability.
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⭐ Why This Coin Is Truly Special
•One of the earliest Christian coins depicting Jesus Christ
•Emperor intentionally unnamed — Christ as ruler of the Empire
•Large, impressive bronze format with strong visual presence
•Deep religious, symbolic, and historical meaning
•A genuine artifact from medieval Byzantium
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This Anonymous Follis is not merely an ancient coin — it is a statement of faith cast in bronze, a reflection of a civilization that placed divine authority above earthly power.