ANDRONICUS II PALAEOLOGUS, 1282-1295 AD. AV, Nomisma Hyperpyron. Constantinople.
Obv: Virgin orans within city walls connecting six groups of towers.
Rev: ΛΝΔPONIK [ΔΕCΠOTHC OΠAΛEO]
Christ standing, holding book in left hand and placing his right hand on the head of Andronikos II, who is crouching in proskynesis to left. Inscription in left field and probably IC̅|XC̅ in right field.
Sear 2326.
Condition: Very fine.
Weight: 4.11 g.
Diameter: 24.70 mm.

The reign of Andronikos II marks the point at which Byzantium truly declined to the rank of a second-rate power. One of Andronikos’s first actions was to save money by scrapping his father’s successful fleet, a mistake that would leave Byzantium at the mercy of the maritime powers of Italy. The shortsightedness of Andronikos's cutbacks was demonstrated when Byzantium was drawn into a war with Venice and found itself unable to resist the Italian fleet's attacks.