Constantine VII and Romanus II, Gold Solidus
Dublin Core
Title
Constantine VII and Romanus II, Gold Solidus
Subject
Constantine VII and Romanus II, Gold Solidus, 945-959 CE. OBVERSE: IHS SPE REX REGNANTIUM (Jesus the King of Kings), facing bust of Christ.
REVERSE: CONSTANT CE ROMAN M AVG BR (Constantine Romanus Marcus Augustus), crowned busts of Constantine VII and Romanus II facing, patriarchal cross between them.
REVERSE: CONSTANT CE ROMAN M AVG BR (Constantine Romanus Marcus Augustus), crowned busts of Constantine VII and Romanus II facing, patriarchal cross between them.
Description
Constantine VII took the throne at a young age of seven. He spent many years under regency until he was ultimately able to secure his sole place as emperor of the Byzantine Empire in 945 CE. He declared his son, Romanus II, co-emperor soon after.
Constantine was known for his intellectual pursuits and left much of the ruling practice to generals and nobles. He wrote many books during his lifetime, including one called De Administrando Imperio, or For Imperial Administration. He died in 959 CE and his son, Romanus II took over the rule. Romanus did not last long, however, as he died in 963 after taking a hunting trip and catching a cold.
The reverse of this coin shows Christ Pantokrator, or Christ, ruler of the world. This design was introduced on the coins of Justinian II and continued to be the most popular design of the empire for the next hundred years.
Constantine was known for his intellectual pursuits and left much of the ruling practice to generals and nobles. He wrote many books during his lifetime, including one called De Administrando Imperio, or For Imperial Administration. He died in 959 CE and his son, Romanus II took over the rule. Romanus did not last long, however, as he died in 963 after taking a hunting trip and catching a cold.
The reverse of this coin shows Christ Pantokrator, or Christ, ruler of the world. This design was introduced on the coins of Justinian II and continued to be the most popular design of the empire for the next hundred years.
Source
Gift of James and Aneta McIntyre, Hallie Ford Museum of Art, Salem, OR. 2006.010.078
Date
ca. 945-959 CE
Rights
Hallie Ford Museum of Art
Format
0.754 in
0.155 oz
0.155 oz
Language
Latin
Type
Coin
Coverage
This item is on view at Hallie Ford Museum of Art, in the Mark and Janeth Sponenburgh Gallery.
Citation
“Constantine VII and Romanus II, Gold Solidus,” Hallie Ford Museum of Art Exhibits, accessed September 22, 2024, https://library.willamette.edu/hfma/omeka/items/show/145.