Numismatic

Eastern Roman Empire AE Nummus (5th-7th Century AD) VG-Fine

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During the transition from classical antiquity to the early middle ages, the Eastern Roman Empire circulated small bronze coins known as nummi. These modest pieces served as the pocket change of the ancient Mediterranean, facilitating everyday transactions across a vast and changing realm. Each of these bronze specimens, typically weighing less than a single gram, carries the distinct artistry of the late empire. The obverse side displays a profile portrait of the reigning emperor wearing a laurel wreath. On the reverse, a central cross is depicted, encircled by a protective laurel wreath, reflecting the spiritual and political shifts of this historical era.