2019-06-10 Mon

Andronikos III Palaiologos was Byzantine Emperor from 1328 to 1341. He was declared co-emperor in his youth. In the 1320s civil war was broke between him and his grandfather, Andronikos II Palaiologos, over control of the Byzantine Empire.

His reign included the last failed attempts to hold back the Ottoman Turks and the defeat at Rusokastro against the Bulgarians. He was a courageous ruler who admirably but unsuccessfully attempted to eradicate corruption in the legal system.

During the reign, he issued coins in the denomination of stamenon, Tetarteron, Trachy, hyperpyron, Basilikon, Assarion, and Tornese. Depicted above is assarion issued in his reign from Constantinople mint. The obverse of a coin depicts the Large NB, star above and below. On the other hand, the reverse of a coin bore the half-length figure of Andronicus III, wearing the crown with pendilia and loros, cruciform scepter in right hand, akakia in left.

Image Source: Heritage Auctions