Today on this day in 1350, The Byzantine Emperor, Manuel II Palaeologus was born. He ruled the Empire from 1391 to 1425 AD. He established peaceful relations with the Ottoman Turks throughout his reign.

He was born in Constantinople to Emperor John V Palaeologus and his Empress consort Helena Kantakouzene. In 1373, he named a successor after his older brother, Andronicus IV, led an unsuccessful revolt against their father. Manuel was crowned co-emperor in September 1373 and, in 1379, helped his father regain Constantinople and the throne, which Andronicus had seized in 1376.

Shortly before his death Manuel has tonsured a monk and received the name, Matthew. Depicted here is silver Stavraton issued during his reign from Constantinople mint. The obverse of a coin depicted the Facing bust of nimbate Christ Pantocrator holding Gospels. On the other hand, the reverse of a coin portrays the crowned facing bust of Manuel, nimbate and wearing loros.

Image Source: Heritage Auctions