★ Rhodes under the Byzantines ★

CRUSADERS. Lords of Rhodes. Time of Michael VIII Palaeologus -Andronikos II Palaeologus, circa 1250-1309. (Bronze, 17 mm, 1.40 g, 12 h), c. 1259-1309 but probably 1261-1275. Plain cross with B in each quarter (coat of arms of the Palaeologos family). Rev. Plain cross with B in each quarter (coat of arms of the Palaeologos family). Schlumberger pl. VIII, 23. Extremely rare. Very fine.

After the death of the "usurper" Gabalas in 1250, Rhodes became de-facto part of the Empire of Nicaea and shortly after the recapture of Constantinople, was again part of the Byzantine Empire. Michael VIII Palaeologus, offered the island to his brother John Palaeologus, and remained under the Byzantine suzerainty until 1309 when the Knights of St. John conquered the island and established their state.

The four Bs in each corner of a plain cross, are the abbreviations of the legend "Βασιλεύ Βασιλέων Βασιλεῖ Βοήθει"= King of the Kings (Jesus Christ) please aid the king, and was one of the coat of arms of the Palaeologus family. This coin can only be dated in this period, that Rhodes was affiliated with the Byzantine Empire.