Insights into the Numismatic Iconography of the Macedonian Dynasty

With the coin series of the Macedonian dynasty (857–1056) as a point of reference, two case studies are subjected to scrutiny. In the first case study, the focus is on Constantine VII Porphyrogennetos (913–959), who—after a long co-regency and as the fortunes of the Lekapenoi waned—managed to emerge as sole ruler in early 945. This development was heralded with a solidus issue displaying, on the reverse, the imperial portrait accompanied by the title autokrator. Also notably, on the obverse, the bust of Christ made its reappearance. The abandonment of the coin type of the enthroned Christ (introduced by Basil I) and the adoption of a type that hints back to the time of Michael III engenders commentary with intriguing connotations. A histamenon issue of an 11th-century emperor Michael, presenting archangel Michael for the first time on Byzantine coinage, is revisited in the second case study. Impressively, this rare issue was imitated in Scandinavia (silver penninge of Sven Estridsen, king of Denmark, struck in the late 1040s), after the return of Harald Hardrada to the North. This particular histamenon issue is often attributed to Michael IV and the mint of Thessalonike (1041) in connection with the revolt of Peter Deljan. It is preferable, however, to assign this coin emission to the short reign of Michael V Kalaphates (December 1041 – April 1042) on the basis of a new in-depth interpretation.