2021-06-18 Fri

The Byzantine Emperor, John V Palaeologus was born today on 18th June 1332 His long reign was marked by the gradual dissolution of imperial power amid numerous civil wars and the continuing ascendancy of the Ottoman Turks.

He was born in Didymoteicho to Emperor Andronikos III and his wife Anna. He succeeded his father in 1341 at the age of eight. John was too young to rule, and a dispute over the regency broke out between his mother, Anna of Savoy, and John Cantacuzenus, a chief minister under Andronicus III. During his reign, from 1346 to 1349, the Black Death devastated Constantinople.

During he issued gold, silver, and copper coins in the denomination of Basilikon, Stravaton, Tornese, Assarion, and Stamenon. The above shown silver Basilikon issued during his reign from Constantinople mint. The obverse of a coin depicts the Christ standing facing within mandorla. On the other hand, the reverse of a coin portrays John V and VI standing facing, each wearing crown and loros and holding a cross-tipped scepter.

Image Source: https://www.doaks.org/