Coin of the Byzantine Empire. Epoch of Emperor Phocas, ca. 607-610.

Solid. Coin of the Byzantine Empire. Epoch of Emperor Phocas, ca. 607-610.
Gold.

Solidus coin, minted in Constantinople. It depicts on its obverse the Byzantine emperor Phocas holding a cross, and on the reverse the goddess of victory Victoria with a staurogram staff in one hand and a national apple in the other.

The Byzantine/Oriental Roman Empire existed for a period of almost 1200 years between 286 and 1453. After the fall of Western Rome in 476, it was the only remaining part of the original Roman Empire. The capital was Constantinople and the imperial court was located there. Over a period of 700 years, from the 3rd century to the 10th century, it managed to maintain a unison minting scheme in which, throughout the empire, the amount of gold contained in a given coin could be relied upon. At times it was possible to produce gold so pure that it corresponded to today's 23 karats.