Manuel I Comnenus. 1143-1180. AV Hyperpyron (28.5mm, 4.33 g, 6h). Constantinople mint.

Description

### Detailed Description and Historical Context of Manuel I Comnenus’ AV Hyperpyron

**Coin Specifications:**
– **Emperor:** Manuel I Comnenus (1143-1180 AD)
– **Denomination:** AV Hyperpyron (Gold)
– **Mint:** Constantinople
– **Date Struck:** Circa 1152-1160 AD
– **Diameter:** 28.5mm
– **Weight:** 4.33 grams
– **Die Axis:** 6h
– **Condition:** Good VF (Very Fine), with a couple of areas showing minor weakness and trace deposits.

**Obverse:**
– **Design:** A facing bust of Christ Pantokrator.
– **Details:** Christ is depicted beardless, with a nimbus (halo) adorned with five pellets in each arm of the cross, signifying his divinity and omnipotence. The depiction of Christ Pantokrator underscores the Byzantine tradition of emphasizing the divine authority of the emperor.

**Reverse:**
– **Design:** Emperor Manuel I standing facing, holding a labarum (a military standard) in his right hand and a patriarchal globus cruciger (a cross-bearing orb) in his left hand.
– **Details:** Above Manuel, the manus Dei (hand of God) is depicted, symbolizing divine approval. Manuel’s collar is adorned with nine jewels. This imagery reinforces the emperor’s divine right to rule and his role as God’s representative on earth.

**Catalog References:**
– **DOC (Dumbarton Oaks Collection):** 1
– **SB (Sear Byzantine Coins):** 1956

**Historical Context:**
– **Reign of Manuel I Comnenus:** Manuel I was the Byzantine Emperor from 1143 to 1180 AD. His reign is marked by his ambitious foreign policy, military campaigns, and efforts to restore the power and prestige of the Byzantine Empire.
– **Military and Diplomatic Efforts:** Manuel sought to assert Byzantine influence across the Mediterranean, the Balkans, and the Near East. He engaged in military campaigns against the Normans, Seljuk Turks, and Hungarians. His diplomacy included alliances and marriages with Western European powers, aiming to strengthen his position.
– **Economic and Cultural Developments:** Despite the constant warfare, Manuel’s reign saw economic prosperity and cultural revival. The empire’s economy thrived, and there was significant patronage of the arts, leading to a renaissance in literature, architecture, and classical studies.
– **Religious Symbolism:** The coin’s imagery reflects the strong connection between the state and the Orthodox Church in Byzantine ideology. The portrayal of Christ Pantokrator on the obverse emphasizes the emperor’s role as the defender of the faith and the divine sanction of his rule.

**Significance of the AV Hyperpyron:**
– **Economic Stability:** The hyperpyron was a critical part of the Byzantine monetary system, ensuring stable currency and facilitating trade across the empire and with foreign lands.
– **Political Propaganda:** Coins served as a powerful medium for political messaging. The iconography on Manuel’s hyperpyron reinforced his image as a legitimate and divinely sanctioned ruler.
– **Artistic and Cultural Value:** The detailed and symbolic designs on the coin reflect the high artistic standards of Byzantine numismatics and the cultural richness of Manuel’s reign.

This coin represents not only a piece of currency but also a tangible link to the historical and cultural legacy of Manuel I Comnenus and the Byzantine Empire at its zenith. For further information, please call 212 3191077.