1920.8.30.b
Solidus, John II Comnenus (1087–1143), Emperor of the Byzantine Empire 1118–1143, reverse
Artist
Artist Unidentified
Title
Solidus, John II Comnenus (1087–1143), Emperor of the Byzantine Empire 1118–1143, reverse
Creation Date
ca. 1118-1143
Century
12th century
Object Type
coin
Creation Place
Ancient Mediterranean
Medium and Support
gold
Credit Line
Gift of Edward Perry Warren, Esq., Honorary Degree, 1926
Copyright
This artwork may be under copyright. For further information, please consult the Museum’s
Copyright Terms and Conditions.
Accession Number
1920.8.30.b
Known as “John the Good,” John II Comnenus significantly increased the territory of the Byzantine Empire. Featuring a ruler celebrated for his piety and strong moral code, this coin emphasizes the divine source of the Emperor’s authority rather than his personal appearance. Indeed, this gold solidus’s prioritization of the practical purpose of serving as currency, over aesthetic achievement, is typical of most coinage of the Middle Ages, even as it reflects the Emperor’s own rejection of luxury.
Additional Media
obverse