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Miliaresion of Basil II and Constantine VIII (977–989)

This miliaresion of Basil II and Constantine VIII is ornate in imagery and meaning. The obverse shows two busts separated by a cross with crossed ends, a globus (a sphere representing the world), and a stepped base (Dumbarton Oaks, n.d.). Basil II, on the left, wears the loros, an imperial golden scarf, and is bearded…

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Follis of Leo VI (886–912)

This follis of Leo VI depicts the Byzantine emperor on the obverse sitting on a lyre-backed throne wearing a crown and a ceremonial garment. One hand is raised holding a scepter, the other resting in his lap. This small copper follis was worth 288ths of a gold coin in the ninth-century which could have bought…

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Follis of Constantine VII and Zoë (914–919)

On the obverse of this Byzantine coin, the upper-bodies of Emperor Constantine VII and his mother Zoë are depicted side-by-side. Constantine VII is on the viewer’s left, wearing the emperor’s traditional garment, a loros, and a crown with a cross. Zoë is on the right, wearing another traditional imperial garment, a chlamys, and a crown…

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Banner Image: detail from Utagawa Hiroshige, Ushimachi in the Takanawa District (Takanawa Ushimachi), from the series One Hundred Famous Views of Edo (Meisho Edo hyakkei), late 19th or early 20th century reprint of original from 1857. Blick-Harris Study Collection; Gift of Sarah Blick, 2015.142. https://digital.kenyon.edu/arthistorystudycollection/138/