Fallis ( lat. Follis - bag, wallet) - Roman and Byzantine copper coin.
Content
Roman Empire
The Follis was a large bronze coin introduced around the year 294 (the real name of this coin is unknown). The word “follys” means a coin counted by handfuls and sacks. The Follis of Diocletian , despite efforts to maintain the weight of the coin, was relieved. By the time of Constantine I, the follicle was smaller and almost did not contain silver. As a result of financial crises, the follicle was replaced by ass (346 year).
At first, the weight of the coin was 9-13 grams with a diameter of 27-30 mm, and about 311 grams fell to 4-5 grams (the diameter decreased to 20-21 mm).
Byzantine Empire
The Byzantine Emperor Anastasius I carried out a monetary reform in 498. They began to mint large copper coins in 40 (follys) and 20 nummies (1/2 follys). The size and weight of the follicles changed at different times during the reign of Anastasius I: 498 years - weight 9 g, diameter 23–27 mm; 512 year - weight 18 g; under Justinian I : 538 year - weight 22 g, diameter up to 40 mm [1] . Further, the number of denominations increased. The cost was indicated in Greek letters: M (1 follis or 40 nummies), K (1/2 follis or 20 nummies), I (1/4 follis or 10 nummies; decanummion), E (1/8 follis or 5 nummies, pentanummion) [2] . The new coin was welcomed by especially poor citizens, since the copper coin in circulation became rare, was poor in quality and had no indication of value. A new coin was minted at three mints, which functioned under Anastasia in Constantinople, Nicomedia and Antioch [3]. The minting of the follies lasted until the 10th century. [4] .
Description of one of the follicle options Anastasia I :
- Obverse: DN ANASTA SIVSPPAVC; Emperor’s bosom image in profile to the right in military attire and in a diadem.
- Reverse: Large numerical letter M (40 nummies); the cross is on top, and the letter A is below (officinal prima, that is, the 1st workshop); there are two stars on the sides, and a cross at the top; sawn-off shotgun: CON (Constantinopolis). Weight: 16.5 g [4] .
Impact on the monetary systems of the East and Russia
At the end of the 7th century, coins similar to Byzantine follies were minted in the Arabian caliphate. According to Ivan Spassky , their names - fulus, fels, fels - come from an ancient Roman coin. The pool of the Golden Horde originates from the folly, and then the Old Russian pool . [5] Hence the names of modern exchange units of Bahrain, Jordan, Iraq, Kuwait, the United Arab Emirates and Yemen - fils (in the first four countries, fils are equal to 1/1000 of the base currency), as well as Afghanistan - pool . [6]
Notes
- ↑ Paul Belien. A hoard of Byzantine folles from Beirut - Royal Numismatic Society // COIN HOARDS. 2005
- ↑ Zvarych V.V. Numismatic Dictionary. 4th edition. Lviv, 1980
- ↑ Vasiliev A.A. History of the Byzantine Empire. T.1. 1998 year
- ↑ 1 2 Tolstoy I.I. Byzantine coins. Vol. II. SPb., 1912
- ↑ Spassky I.G. Russian monetary system. - L., 1962
- ↑ Dictionary of numismatists : articles “ Pool ”, “ Pulo ”, “ Fels ”, “ Fils ”, “ Follis ”; Contemporary Economic Dictionary Archived July 9, 2012 to Wayback Machine (link unavailable from 06/14/2016 [1158 days]) : Follys article (link unavailable from 06/14/2016 [1158 days])
Literature
- Konrad Klütz, Münznamen und ihre Herkunft, (in tedesco) Vienna, moneytrend Verlag, 2004. ISBN 3-9501620-3-8