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John V and John VI Gold Hyperpyron, obverse

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Byzantine

John V and John VI Gold Hyperpyron

John V and John VI · Late Byzantine Empire

The Virgin protects the city while Christ stands with John V and John VI, preserving an ideal of concord during a civil war over the imperial throne.

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Object number
AG-025
Date
AD 1347–1353
Denomination
AV Hyperpyron
Material
Gold
Weight
4.10 g
Grade
MS · Strike 3/5 · Surface 4/5
Certification
NGC Ancients

Record completeness

Evidence, made visible

  • Object identityDocumented
  • Physical recordPartly documented
  • AttributionPartly documented
  • Legends & imageryNot recorded
  • ProvenanceNot recorded

The Story Behind the Strike

John V Palaiologos and John VI Kantakouzenos shared imperial dignity after a destructive civil war. Their hyperpyron presents the settlement as sacred harmony. Mary appears within the city walls; Christ stands with the two Johns on the reverse. The coin’s irregular late fabric and crowded imagery are historically expressive. This was an empire with diminished territory and resources, yet its rulers still employed gold to proclaim that Constantinople, dynasty and divine order remained inseparable. The official picture of unity is especially poignant because the political partnership would not endure.