Bowdoin College Museum of Art | - Solidus, John II Comnenus (1087–1143), Emperor of the Byzantine Empire 1118

Preview image of work. gold, Solidus, John II Comnenus (1087–1143), Emperor of the Byzantine Empire 1118–1143, reverse 37551

1920.8.30.b

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Solidus, John II Comnenus (1087–1143), Emperor of the Byzantine Empire 1118–1143, reverse

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Artist

Artist Unidentified

Title

Solidus, John II Comnenus (1087–1143), Emperor of the Byzantine Empire 1118–1143, reverse

Creation Date

ca. 1118-1143

Century

12th century

Object Type

coin

Creation Place

Ancient Mediterranean

Medium and Support

gold

Credit Line

Gift of Edward Perry Warren, Esq., Honorary Degree, 1926

Copyright

This artwork may be under copyright. For further information, please consult the Museum’s Copyright Terms and Conditions.

Accession Number

1920.8.30.b

Known as “John the Good,” John II Comnenus significantly increased the territory of the Byzantine Empire. Featuring a ruler celebrated for his piety and strong moral code, this coin emphasizes the divine source of the Emperor’s authority rather than his personal appearance. Indeed, this gold solidus’s prioritization of the practical purpose of serving as currency, over aesthetic achievement, is typical of most coinage of the Middle Ages, even as it reflects the Emperor’s own rejection of luxury.

Additional Media

obverse