The Byzantine Empire Anonymous Issue AE Follis is a remarkable copper or bronze coin dating primarily from the 10th and 11th centuries AD. Unlike most Byzantine coins that feature the emperor’s portrait and name, the Anonymous Issues omit imperial identification, focusing instead on religious imagery, emphasizing the central role of Christianity in Byzantine society. The obverse of these coins typically showcases a bearded, nimbate bust of Christ facing forward, holding the Gospels in his hands, with the Greek monogram “IC XC” (Jesus Christ) flanking his head. The halo surrounding Christ’s head often features a cross, reinforcing the coin’s spiritual significance.

On the reverse, the design usually includes inscriptions invoking Christ’s kingship, such as “Jesus Christ King of Kings” rendered in Greek, often arranged in multiple lines around a cross. Various ornamental elements and mint marks may accompany the inscription, providing insights into where and when the coin was minted. These coins were struck mainly in Constantinople but also circulated widely across the Byzantine Empire, serving as everyday currency while simultaneously conveying the empire’s religious and political ideology.

The Anonymous AE Folles are prized for their historical context and unique characteristics. Being hand-struck, each coin displays subtle variations in shape and design elements, adding to their numismatic interest. Over centuries, the coins develop a natural patina ranging in colors from earthy browns to greenish tones, which collectors find highly desirable as it reflects the coin’s genuine age and journey through time. This patina not only adds aesthetic value but also protects the coin’s surface from further corrosion.

This coin series emerged during a period when the Byzantine emperors, starting with John I Tzimiskes and continuing under Basil II and their successors, shifted the imagery of bronze coinage from imperial portraits to religious themes. This change reflected the era’s emphasis on the divine right to rule and the close intertwining of church and state. The anonymous attribute further emphasized the transcendence of Christ’s kingship over earthly rulers, subtly reinforcing the emperor’s role as God’s representative rather than as an autonomous sovereign.

For collectors and historians, an NGC Genuine graded Byzantine Anonymous AE Follis with the bust of Christ represents a precious link to Byzantine religious devotion and monetary history. Encapsulated for authenticity assurance, these coins offer not just financial and numismatic value but also a profound connection to the spiritual and cultural fabric of the medieval Byzantine world. Owning such a coin is to hold a fragment of an era when faith shaped the empire’s identity, economy, and art in a deeply enduring way.