BYZANTINE COIN FIND IN NORWAY

 

A metal detectorist has discovered a rare Byzantine coin in the mountains of Norway's Vestre Slidre municipality, more than a millennium after it was created and over 1,600 miles away from its place of origin.

The gold coin is in excellent condition and is believed to have been minted between 977 and 1025 C.E., as indicated by dotted circles on the coin's border. It is known as a histamenon nomisma, a coin of standard weight first introduced around 960. It was likely created in Constantinople (now Istanbul), the capital of the Byzantine Empire, also known as the Eastern Roman Empire.

On one face of the coin is a depiction of Jesus, holding a Bible. On the other are images of brothers Basil II and Constantine VII, co-rulers of the Byzantine Empire. The two kings were coronated in the early 930s following the death of their father Romanos II, but as they were both still children—Constantine just three years old—the empire was ruled by two generals until Basil took his position as senior emperor. Basil's nearly 50-year reign was the longest of any Roman emperor. Two inscriptions on the coin read Jesus Christ, King of those who reign in Latin, and Basil and Constantine, emperors of the Romans in Greek.

To read the complete articles, see:
A Metal Detectorist in Norway Found an Ultra-Rare Byzantine Coin That's More Than 1,000 Years Old (https://news.artnet.com/art-world/byzantine-coin-norway-found-by-metal-detectorist-2406396)
Check out this ancient coin depicting Christ that was found in Norway (https://notthebee.com/article/check-out-this-ancient-coin-depicting-jesus-found-in-norway)

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