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Title	Byzantine Empire, Basil II, AV Tetarteron Nomisma, 976 – 1025 AD
Obverse	Facing bust of Christ, with Nimbus Cross with Two Pellets in each limb, Book of Gospels, and Raised right hand
Reverse	Facing Crowned Busts of Basil and Constantine VIII, Holding a Cross with X on Shaft
Type/Denomination	AV Tetarteron Nomisma
Origin	Byzantine Empire
Period	976 – 1025 AD
Description	This coin was minted during Basil II's reign over the Byzantine Empire (976 - 1025 AD). On the obverse is a bust of Christ who is holding a nimbus cross with pellets, a book of the Gospels, and a raised right hand. The reverse shows a crowned bust of Basil, who has a short beard and is standing on the left side of the coin. The beardless crowned bust of his brother, Constantine VIII, stands to Basil's left, helping him lift the cross. Basil II was also called Basil the Bulgar-Slayer (Bulgaroctonus), or Basil the Young. Under his reign the Byzantine Empire reached its greatest height in nearly five centuries. He extended imperial rule in the Balkans (notably Bulgaria), Illyria, Mesopotamia, Syria, Georgia (Iveria), and Armenia, and also increased his domestic authority by attacking the powerful landed interests of the military aristocracy and of the church.
Publisher	Hillsdale College
Donor	Alwin C. Carus
Accession Number	20050946
Catalog Number	SB-1806

Byzantine Empire, Basil II, AV Tetarteron Nomisma, 976 – 1025 AD

Description