Anonymous Class C, Attributed to Michael IV. Follis; Anonymous Class C, Attributed to Michael IV, 1034-1041 AD

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Byzantine, Anonymous Class C, Attributed to Michael IV. Follis (bronze, 10g); Anonymous Class C, Attributed to Michael IV, 1034-1041 AD
Obv: +E[MMANOVH?] IC – XC; Three-quarter length figure of Christ Antiphonetes standing facing, wearing halo with cross, raising right hand in benediction and holding book of Gospels in left
Rev: Jeweled cross, with pellet at each extremity; in the angles, IC – X[C] / NI – K[A]
Ref: Sear 1825 Rarity/Choice: Common, aVF
Note: Unlike imperial portrait bronzes, these anonymous issues bore only the image of Christ and Christian inscriptions, reflecting the Byzantine emphasis on divine authority over personal rulership. Michael IV’s reign was marked by fiscal reforms, reliance on his brother John the Orphanotrophos, and significant military campaigns, including successes against the Bulgarians. The persistence of Christ-only designs reinforced the idea that the emperor ruled as Christ’s servant, while avoiding the personalization of coinage during a politically fragile period.

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