2019-09-11 Wed

Isaac II Angelus was Byzantine Emperor reigning from 1185 to 1195, and again from 1203 to 1204. He was acclaimed emperor after the downfall and murder of Andronicus I Comnenus.

On 11th September 1185, while Emperor Andronicus I Comnenus was absent from the capital, his most powerful member of the court, Stephen Hagiochristophorites moved to arrest Isaac. Isaac II Angelos killed Hagiochristophorites and then appeals to the people, resulting in the revolt that deposes Andronicus I and places Isaac on the throne of the Byzantine Empire.

The above shown gold Hyperpyron was issued under his first reign from Constantinople mint. The obverse of a coin engraved the full-length figure of the Virgin Mary seated facing on throne, holding the head of infant Christ on the lap. The reverse of a coin depicts full-length figures of Isaac (on left) and the Archangel Michael standing facing, the former wearing crown and loros, holding cruciform scepter, and being crowned by manus Dei from above, the latter wearing nimbus crown and military attire; sword-in-sheath held between them X/A/X/M to lower right.

Image Source: Heritage Auctions