The Reforms of Anastasius I
Constantinople (formerly Byzantium) became the capital of the eastern Roman Empire
in 330. The Byzantine monetary system began once Anastasius I (491-518) reformed the
old roman coinage in 498. Coins were now marked with Greek letters (I=10, K=20,
M=40) indicating their value in nummi, the smallest monetary unit.
The 40-nummus piece was called follis ("purse") because it had the value
of a purse of nummi.
Gold solidus of Constantine the Great from Nicomedia and
gold solidus (49-498) of Anastasius I from Constantinople.
Bronze nummus
(498-518) with the monogram of Anastasius.
Bronze follis (498-518).
Bronze follis (607) of
Phocas (602-610) from Cyzicus with a Roman numeral for a value mark.
Bronze half follis (498-518).
Bronze decanummium (498-518).
Bronze half pentanummium (498-518).