Byzantine Gold Solidus
Also known as: Nomisma, Solidus
DocumentedSupported by at least one credible specialist source.
Period
4th–11th century AD
Issuing entity
Byzantine EmpireGold solidus of the Byzantine Empire, the principal gold denomination of the eastern Roman state and a standard of account across the medieval Mediterranean.
Historical context
The solidus retained a stable gold content for centuries before progressive debasement in the eleventh century; the later concave (scyphate) fabric is a distinguishing feature.
Physical characteristics
- Metal
- Gold
- Denomination
- Solidus
Technical characteristics
- Striking
- Hand-struck; later issues on concave (scyphate) flans
Design
- Obverse
- Imperial bust or facing Christ, by period
- Reverse
- Cross, Victory, or imperial figures, by period
Identification
- Caution
- Mint and officina marks vary by reign and must be read against a reign-specific reference
Catalogue references
No catalogue numbers recorded. Numbers are only published once transcribed from a verified edition of a standard catalogue — they are never inferred.
Research required
- Weight and fineness figures to be transcribed from a verified reference
- Reign-by-reign subdivisions still to be catalogued