Byzantine silver coin minted in Constantinople (modern day Istanbul) for the emperors Basil II and Constantine VIII (976-1025). On the obverse side of the coin we see the bust images of the Emperors with a cross at the foot, probably Christ's cross on Calvary in Jerusalem. The inscription on this side begins on the left of the cross and translates as: 'Victory in this sign [meaning the cross], Basil and Constantine’. On the reverse side there are five horizontal lines of text: 'Basil (and) Constantine, Born in the Purple, true kings of Rome’. Part of a hoard find, Bjärby, Sjonhem Parish, Gotland.
Image rights: Ola Myrin, Historiska museet/SHM (CC BY 4.0)
