ALEXIUS III ANGELUS-COMNENUS.(1195-1203). Trachy. Constantinople.

Obv: Facing bust of Christ Emmanuel.

Rev: Alexius and St. Constantine standing facing, each holding labarum and a globus cruciger between them.
Sear 2012

Condition : The coin is in worn condition, with a dark green patina covering most of its surface. There are some patches of light corrosion, indicating age and exposure to the elements. The design details are still visible but somewhat faint due to the wear. The patina adds to its antiquity, creating an appealing, weathered look typical of ancient coins.Good very fine.

Material : Copper.
Axis : 6h

Weight : 3.01 gr
Diameter : 26 mm

The Byzantine copper trachy was a type of debased, concave coin minted during the later period of the Byzantine Empire, particularly from the 11th to the 13th centuries. The term "trachy" comes from the Greek word meaning "rough" or "uneven," referring to the coin's characteristic concave shape, known as scyphate. This unusual design, with a domed obverse and concave reverse, was introduced during the reign of Emperor Alexios I Komnenos as part of his monetary reforms aimed at stabilizing the empire's currency after a period of economic crisis and inflation.

The copper trachy was a lower denomination coin, primarily used for everyday transactions, as opposed to the more valuable silver and gold coins like the hyperpyron, which were used for larger trade and ceremonial purposes. The use of copper, a much less valuable metal than gold or silver, reflects its role as a coin for the common people and minor economic exchanges. However, over time, the coinage system became increasingly debased, and the copper trachy itself began to lose value, contributing to broader economic instability in the empire.

Despite being a low-value coin, the copper trachy typically bore religious and imperial imagery, reflecting the deeply ingrained tradition of Byzantine coins as tools of both economic and political propaganda. One side of the trachy often depicted the image of Christ, the Virgin Mary, or a saint, emphasizing the connection between the emperor and divine authority. The reverse side commonly featured the reigning emperor in military garb, sometimes standing alongside a religious figure, or holding symbols of power such as a cross or globus cruciger (a symbol of authority and world domination). These depictions helped reinforce the emperor's role as both the secular ruler and the protector of the Christian faith.

The minting of copper trachys continued until the early 13th century, particularly during the turbulent years of the Fourth Crusade and the subsequent fragmentation of the Byzantine Empire. After the fall of Constantinople in 1204 and the establishment of the Latin Empire, Byzantine coin production was drastically reduced, and the copper trachy became increasingly rare. The trachy remained in circulation in the various successor states, such as the Empire of Nicaea and the Despotate of Epirus, though it was often debased further in both weight and value.

Their concave shape and religious imagery make them distinctive relics of Byzantine monetary history. Despite their low intrinsic value, these coins provide insight into the Byzantine economy, religion, and the empire’s artistic traditions during a period of significant political and economic challenge.