Coin
About this object
History of use
“Tetarteron” (denomination); Sear# 1970.
Narrative
The 'Virgin Orans' was a much copied image in Byzantine art and coinage, and is still found on Ukrainian coinage today.
Physical description
Byzantine coin of Manuel I, 1143-1180. Obverse: bust of the Virgin Mary, facing front; she has a halo; she raises her hands in prayer. Reverse: bust of Manuel I, facing front; he wears a jewelled chlamys; to left, he holds a labarum, a military standard; to right, he holds a globus cruciger; to left, inscription says ‘MAИ’. The Virgin Mary is described in the Sear catalogue as the ‘Virgin Orans’, meaning the ‘Praying Virgin’.
Categories
Materials
Date Made
1143-1180
Date Acquired
2 Feb 2015
How Acquired
Donated
Credit Line
The Rachel and David Herman Collection of Byzantine CoinsMore...
Measurements
Overall: .1 cm x 2.1 cm
Object Number
3095/1533