nomismata
Quick Summary
The term "nomisma" refers to the Byzantine solidus, a gold coin that was highly influential in European coinage for a millennium. This coin, also known as the bezant, weighed approximately 4.5 grams and was renowned for its purity until the 10th century. Byzantine coinage, which began effectively with the reign of Anastasius I, also included silver and bronze denominations. The coinage prominently featured religious imagery, reflecting the empire's Christian identity, with emperors depicted as Christian rulers. The Byzantine solidus was a dominant currency, competing with gold from Arab caliphates and Italian republics.12
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