Solidus of Constans II and Constantine IV (Cleveland Museum of Art 2012.22)
Record status
Individual type · partial
Period
659–661
The vast number of surviving Byzantine coins attests to the level of trade across the empire. Controlled and supervised by the emperor, the producers of coins took care to represent his authority and reflect his stature.
Talented artists were recruited to engrave the dies (molds) used for the striking of coins. Emperors increasingly came to include their heirs and co-emperors on their coinage, as well as other family members or even earlier rulers. Coins were recognized, then as now, as small, portable works of art. With their inscriptions and images, Byzantine coins provide valuable documentation of historical events and a record of the physical appearance of the emperors.
The coin shown here is the solidus, the basic gold coin of 24 karats. Cleveland Museum of Art object 2012.22: Solidus of Constans II and Constantine IV, 659–661. Byzantium. Gold; diameter: 1.9 cm (3/4 in.). Inscribed: VICTORIA AVGU and officina letter (cut off and incomplete). Details are those of this museum object; how far it represents a wider type has not been independently verified.
Evidence at a glance
- Linked sources
- 1
- Photograph views
- 3
- Catalogue references
- 0
Counts describe this entry’s documentation, not authenticity, rarity or completeness. Photographs may show one specimen; check each caption and licence.
Historical context
The emperor depicted on the left was also known as "Constantine the Bearded."
Physical characteristics
- Materials
- gold
- Dimensions
- Diameter: 1.9 cm (3/4 in.)
- Measurements
- Diameter: 1.9 cm (3/4 in.)
- Material and technique
- gold
Design
- Inscription
- VICTORIA AVGU and officina letter (cut off and incomplete)
Identification
- Date recorded
- 659–661
- Culture period
- Byzantium
- Holding institution
- Cleveland Museum of Art
- Museum object number
- 2012.22
- Published references
- Gertsman, Elina and Barbara H. Rosenwein. The Middle Ages in 50 Objects . Cambridge: Cambridge University Press, 2018. Mentioned: p. 114-117; Reproduced: p. 115
- Museum classification
- Coins
Documentation checklist
- Denomination
- Research required
- Issue or mint date
- Recorded
- Material
- Recorded
- Weight
- Research required
- Mint or printer
- Research required
- Mint or printer mark
- Research required
- Catalogue reference
- Research required
- Attached photograph (check rights)
- Recorded
Recorded means a field is present, not independently verified. Read its wording, supporting source and the entry’s confidence level.
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
- Research required: this record describes a single museum object; confirm the wider coin type and standard catalogue references against numismatic literature.